British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton fastest in final practice

The Mercedes-GP driver lapped the cold, wet and windswept Silverstone circuit with a best time of one minute, 28.063 seconds.

F1 - Formula One - British Grand Prix 2017 - Silverstone, Britain - July 15, 2017   Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton in action   REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
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British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in final practice for a home British Grand Prix that he is aiming to win for the fourth year in a row on Sunday.

The Mercedes-GP driver, who looks a favourite for pole position later on Saturday, lapped the cold, wet and windswept Silverstone circuit with a best time of one minute, 28.063 seconds.

That was significantly faster than Friday's best of 1:28.496 and the quickest yet at the former World War Two airfield.

Ferrari's championship leader Sebastian Vettel was second fastest, a mere 0.032 slower than the Briton, with Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas third on the timesheets and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen fourth.

Renault's Nico Hulkenberg was a promising fifth.

READ MORE: British GP talking points: Role reversals for Bottas and Hamilton as Red Bull impress

Bottas will collect a five-place grid penalty after qualifying, due to an unscheduled gearbox change, as will Red Bull's Australian Daniel Ricciardo for the same reason.

McLaren's Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, collected a massive 30-place drop for various engine penalties, ensuring the Spaniard starts at the back -- a familiar experience for the double champion this season.

The penalties look like turning qualifying into a straight battle between Hamilton and the Ferraris in a session likely to be overcast but with a decreasing likelihood of rain after steady morning drizzle.

A pole for three-times world champion Hamilton would put him just one away from Michael Schumacher's all-time record of 68 and come as a timely boost after two races off the podium that have left him 20 points behind Vettel.

Pole is not crucial at Silverstone, however, although every winner at the circuit since 2000 has started from fourth place or higher. Hamilton has taken the top slot for the last two seasons. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by John O'Brien)

British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)

2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)

3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)

4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)

5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)