Hamilton dominates Hockenheim practice

By Alan Baldwin

HOCKENHEIM, Germany (Reuters) - Championship leader Lewis Hamilton left his Formula One title rivals trailing as McLaren turned on the power in Friday's German Grand Prix practice.

The 23-year-old Briton, fresh from his dominant home win in the rain at Silverstone on July 6, was quickest in both sessions at engine partners Mercedes' home circuit.

Hamilton lapped in one minute 15.537 seconds on a damp and drizzly morning and, with the sun breaking through the overcast skies, went even faster in the afternoon with a best time of 1:15.025 on his final flying lap.

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa was second in the later session, 0.697 off the pace, with Finnish team mate and world champion Kimi Raikkonen third.

Hamilton, Massa and Raikkonen are all level on 48 points, with Hockenheim the first race of the second half of the championship.

"I feel confident, I think we have a strong package," said Hamilton.

"I don't think one race gives you momentum, it gives you a boost. We had a good race and hopefully we can get a good race this weekend and score some points and then build the momentum."

The Briton's McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen, whose compatriot and double world champion Mika Hakkinen was the last McLaren winner at Hockenheim in 1998, was second in the morning and fourth after lunch.