Hamilton keeps the upper hand mid-day!

40

Lewis Hamilton put on more mileage this morning to top the time sheets once again with a 1:20.983, a faster time compared to yesterday's best lap.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was second but at a fair distance although the Scuderia had chosen to focus again on running on the medium compound while Mercedes unleashed Hamilton on a set of SuperSoft tyres.

Force India suffered a delayed start, with Esteban Ocon joining the action only after a few hours, but playing catch-up the Frenchman put in a promising third fastest lap, just ahead of Haas' Kevin Magnussen.

Red Bull was spared any major dram, Verstappen clocking a solid 31 laps and a fifth fastest time.

The red flag came out for the first time when rookie Lance Stroll spun into the gravel trap at Turn Nine. The Canadian made his way back to the pits however, where he remained for the rest of the morning.

For McLaren, it was more of the same unfortunately with Stoffel Vandoorne hit by more power unit issues. The Belgian still managed to achieve a 29-lap tally.

A major problem at Sauber prevented newcomer Antonio Giovinazzi from getting much mileage aout of the morning, but it was even worse for Renault's Jolyon Palmer who only joined proceedings in the dying minutes of the session before the mid-day lunch break.

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.