Hamilton’s frustration was compounded by the fact that he looks to have a car
well capable of winning here. The 2008 world champion finished the morning
session top of the time sheets, although Ferrari’s Felipe Massa went faster
during the afternoon.
“It’s not looking good for the weekend,” he said. “But it’s not impossible;
the race is very long and there are two DRS zones so overtaking is possible.
But I’ve already put the team on the back foot with that penalty.”
The Englishman was not the only one toiling under the midday sun. A dog on the
track had caused first practice to be red-flagged and Renault’s Bruno Senna,
who hit a stray dog during a GP2 race in 2008, said it was inexcusable.
“When I arrived at the track I saw that exact dog walking around the
entrance of the paddock,” he said. “It shows that no one really paid
attention to it.”