Hamilton ready for physical challenge

LEWIS HAMILTON admitted the Singapore street circuit was physically challenging after the McLaren driver enjoyed a solid display under the floodlights in free practice last night.

Hamilton topped the timesheet in the first session, ahead of championship rival, Felipe Massa of Ferrari, clocking a time of one minute 45.518 seconds. The 23-year-old Englishman had looked set to do the same in second practice after leading for the majority of the session.

However, Renault driver and former team-mate Fernando Alonso produced a superb last-ditch lap time of 1:45.654secs to edge Hamilton by just 0.098secs.