Hamilton shines in rain-hit practice

Lewis Hamilton satisfied his adoring home crowd with the fastest time in yesterday’s rain soaked free practice sessions at Silverstone ahead of tomorrow’s British Grand Prix.

80,000 people were in attendance yesterday, a Friday record for the circuit.

The crowds however had to endure a frustrating day, with traffic chaos and heavy rain meaning massive delays and very little track action.

Hamilton set his fastest time — 1.56.345 — in second practice, with Kamui Kobayashi and Michael Schumacher closely behind while Romain Grosjean of Lotus took the spoils in the first session.

Having only completed 14 laps in the treacherous conditions, Hamilton was unable to test some of the new components McLaren plan to introduce this weekend. However the 2008 world champion was more downbeat about how the weather conditions had impacted on spectators.

“We didn’t get to test the components but we still had some fun out there and did a few laps,” he said.

“For me it was more concern for the fans. I don’t ever remember seeing so many on a Friday and unfortunately we had terrible weather and we didn’t have enough tyres to go out and keep them entertained.”

Hamilton was also quick to dismiss his success in practice as he looked ahead to tomorrow. “It doesn’t make any difference at the moment. Tomorrow is what counts.”

Throughout both sessions drivers struggled to find grip with many taking uncontrolled trips across the flooded Silverstone grass.

Bruno Senna was one of the unlucky ones, the Williams man found himself in the barriers after aquaplaning off the track at Becketts, resulting in a big impact and a red flag.

While the Brazilian was unhurt, his mechanics will not have been impressed as they face a big rebuild before qualifying.

When the cars returned to the track it was championship leader Fernando Alonso who next found himself in the barriers after a slide, though he managed to escape with only a front wing missing.

The late action in some small way made up for the lack of running for fans that had queued for hours.

With more rain expected and over 135,000 due to attend tomorrow, organisers will quickly have to remedy the mounting list of problems the rain has caused or face a rather uncomfortable day.