Hamilton pips Vettel to top rain-hit British GP final practice

Three-time world champion and Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton produced a rich vein of form as he edged past Formula One drivers? championship leader Sebastian Vettel to emerge as the fastest driver in the third and final practice of this weekend?s British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Circuit on Saturday.

Hamilton, who clocked his best lap of one minute and 28.063 seconds, was 0.032 seconds quicker than Vettel during a practice session which was hit by rain, Sport24 reported.

Meanwhile, Mercedes? Valtteri Bottas, who won the first two practice races, finished third ahead of Ferrari?s Kimi Raikkonen and Renault?s Nico Hulkenberg.

Red Bull?s Daniel Ricciardo?s pursuit of a sixth straight podium finish was hit with a major setback as he finished sixth after being handed a five-place grid penalty.

The sanction came after Ricciardo have to change the gearbox on his Red Bull before it had been used in six consecutive F1 races.

Vettel is currently leading the drivers' championship standing, with victories in China, Spain and Canada.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)