F1 Grand Prix 2012

[Alpha]

Maldonado's getting a bit cocky these days.

[Alpha]

Mark Webber wins the British Grand Prix, Alonso in 2nd and Vettel 3rd.

[CambCelt]

By Andrew Benson, BBC:

BBC Sport - Hungarian GP: Lewis Hamilton fastest in both practice sessions

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton set the pace in Hungarian Grand Prix practice from Lotus's Kimi Raikkonen.

He headed both sessions. Team-mate Jenson Button was second in the first and eighth in the second, which was disrupted by a rain shower.

Hamilton ended the day 0.185 seconds quicker than Raikkonen, with Williams's Bruno Senna a surprise third.

The Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were fourth and fifth, and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel eighth.

"It's been a real positive day for me, I'm very happy," said Hamilton.

"We're on the right path but we've still got work to do and we know the Red Bull looks very quick, so does the Lotus and obviously the Ferrari as well.

"So we are by no means feeling comfortable. We're going to keep pushing."

1 Great Britain L Hamilton McLaren
2 Finland K Raikkonen Lotus
3 Brazil B Senna Williams
4 Brazil F Massa Ferrari
5 Spain F Alonso Ferrari
6 Great Britain J Button McLaren
7 Great Britain P Di Resta Force India

[Alpha]

Okay, that was one hell of a dramatic start at Spa. Maldanado somehow managed to get moving first. Hmmmm. And then there was a crash on the first corner.

[timey]

Ok. Has anyone crashed out?

[Alpha]

Hamilton and Alonso. Maldanado being investigated for jump starting.

[Alpha]

Button wins at Spa. Vettel 2nd and Raikonnen 3rd.

There was some great German dogfighting between Vettal, Schumacher and Hulkenburg.

Best race ever.

[timey]

Jeez, just seen the start. That was some crash.

[CambCelt]

Hamilton looks good for this one at Monza.

He's currently the fastest driver on the fastest track of F1.

Qualifying is under way.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso said he felt McLaren were the early front-runners at what promises to be an incredibly competitive Italian Grand Prix.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button set the pace in Friday practice, but Alonso was only 0.058 seconds behind them in third.

Alonso, the world championship leader, said: "McLaren looked very strong so we need to find something extra."

But Button said: "Ferrari's pace is very good. They are very, very quick."

The field is extremely closely matched - just 0.257secs separated pace-setter Hamilton from Force India's Nico Hulkenberg in eighth fastest.

Button said: "There are quite a few cars out there that are quick, it's very, very close. The Mercedes are quick, the Lotus...

"It's going to be an interesting weekend, it's not going to be straightforward for any of us."

Alonso had a difficult day, suffering engine, braking system and gearbox failures, but he said he was hopeful of a good weekend.

[CambCelt]

By Andrew Benson:

Lewis Hamilton beat McLaren team-mate Jenson Button to pole at the Italian Grand Prix as Ferrari's Fernando Alonso bid failed.

Alonso, the world championship leader, had been quick all weekend but could manage only 10th because of a mechanical failure on his car.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa was third ahead of Force India's Paul di Resta, who has a five-place gearbox change penalty.

Mercedes' Michael Schumacher was fifth from Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel.