Formula One leader lewis Hamilton had the fastest time in practice for the inaugural Russian Grand Prix on Friday, while drivers and teams showed their support for injured colleague Jules Bianchi.
Hamilton was second in the morning session behind Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg but dominated the afternoon run by a wide margin. Rosberg dropped to fourth.Kevin Magnussen of Mclaren was second, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso third. Valtterri Bottas of Williams was fifth behind Rosberg, and Jenson Button in the second Mclaren completed the top six.
Marussia president Graeme lowdown said it was a difficult decision to run only one car, especially since the team was ninth in the constructor standings. “We are largely in that position because of Jules, and as a racing driver he’d want us racing,” lowdon said.Hamilton’s fastest lap of 1 minute, 39.630 seconds on the Sochi Autodrom, built around the Olympic Park that was used for the Winter Games in February, was an improvement of nearly three seconds from his morning run on the unfamiliar circuit making its debut on the F1 calendar. He was nearly a second ahead of Magnussen.
Mercedes can clinch its first constructors’ title with a victory in Sunday’s race. Hamilton leads Rosberg by 10 points in the drivers’ standings.Hamilton’s promising practice time makes him a clear favorite to win his ninth race of the season and close in on the title, with three races remaining after Sunday’s contest.Hamilton was .864 seconds ahead of Magnussen. Alonso was .874 seconds behind and Rosberg was .912 adrift.