Hamilton puts rivals in shade

Lewis Hamilton produced a bruising practice performance in Spa that put even Formula One title rival and team-mate Nico Rosberg in the shade.

Hamilton, claiming to be rejuvenated and reinvigorated following the sport’s summer break, underlined such remarks by comfortably topping yesterday’s timesheet ahead of tomorrow’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, 11 points adrift of Mercedes team-mate Rosberg with eight races remaining, conjured a time of one minute 49.189 seconds for the seven-kilometre Spa-Francorchamps circuit, finishing a staggering six tenths of a second clear of the German.