Hamilton exorcises Chinese demons

LEWIS HAMILTON exorcised a few demons as he returned to Shanghai for the first time since sliding into a gravel trap just over a year ago, an incident that helped wreck his Formula One world title dreams.

Hamilton showed scant regard for harsh comments from colleagues by enjoying what he described as “one of my best Fridays of the season”.

For the first time since the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in mid-July, when he last won a race, the McLaren star finished top of the timesheets at the end of both practice sessions — and comfortably so.