Lewis Hamilton fastest in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton started life as a seven-time world champion in dominating fashion after going nearly half-a-second quicker than anyone else in first practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Brit matched Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of Formula One titles in Turkey last time out with one of his greatest ever victories in the wet conditions, but he was just as untouchable in the dry desert at the Sakhir Circuit.

Setting a time of 1:29.033 he was just shy of half-a-second clear of his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, with Mercedes once again proving the class of the field.

More to follow…