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Hamilton on form again in Hungary

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has won two races this season, in China and last weekend in Germany.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton has won two races this season, in China and last weekend in Germany.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in practice ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix
  • The McLaren driver was ahead of Fernando Alonso in second and Jenson Button in third
  • Current championship leader Sebastian Vettel was only fifth fastest at the Hungaroring

(CNN) -- McLaren's Lewis Hamilton continued the form which brought him victory in Germany last weekend as he set the fastest time in Friday practice ahead of Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Briton's lap of one minute 21.018 seconds edged out Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, who was celebrating his 30th birthday, and his compatriot and teammate Jenson Button, with the pair second and third quickest respectively.

Championship leader and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel was over half a second back on Hamilton's time at the Hungaroring in fifth position, behind his Red Bull colleague Mark Webber, who won the race in 2010, in fourth.

Vettel, 24, was attempting to bounce back from a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Nurburgring a week ago, the first time he had finished a grand prix outside of the top two this season.

Resurgent Hamilton triumphs in Germany

It's not like last year, it seems very tight and McLaren and Ferrari are quick
--Sebastian Vettel
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"I felt a little bit better in the car," the German, who currently has a 77-point lead at the top of the drivers' standings, told the Formula One official web site.

"But it's not like last year, it seems very tight and McLaren and Ferrari are quick. I think we need to raise our game if we want to be at the front."

Vettel was sporting a bandage on his hand during the two sessions, but he revealed it was not a serious injury.

"The bandage on my hand? It's just a little thing, but you know how it goes with us men, we like to make a big fuss!"

Two-time world champion Alonso thanked everyone for their birthday wishes, in particular F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone after the 80-year-old interrupted the Spaniard's press conference.

Latest F1 standings after the German Grand Prix

The 30-year-old also announced that he was committing his future to Italian marque Ferrari, revealing he will be with the Maranello-based team for the next five years.

"First of all thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes on my thirtieth, especially to Bernie, who came along to wish me the best along with you journalists during the press meeting!

"It's nice to celebrate here with Ferrari, a team I will definitely be with until I am at least 35."

Alonso is currently fourth in the world championship, behind 2008 title winner Hamilton in third and Australian Webber in second.

Qualifying for the 11th race of the season will be on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's grand prix.