Hamilton avoids penalty over tyre breach

The McLaren driver used two sets of wet weather tyres in the first Friday practice due to a team error, as did Honda's Jenson Button and Super Aguri's Takuma Sato.

The stewards summoned all three drivers along with representatives of their teams, and after discussion decided to fine the teams 15,000 euro each but not penalise the drivers.

Nevertheless, the stewards asked the teams to give back the extra set of wet weather tyres they used today in order to ensure they don't benefit from an extra set of already scrubbed tyres.

"To avoid the possibility that any of the three teams or their drivers could derive any benefit during the remainder of the event from having available to them part worn wet tyres, each team will forthwith voluntarily surrender those tyres to the FIA Technical Assistant," the stewards said.

Hamilton expressed his regret for the error made but said he was confident of his team.

"It is an easy mistake to make," he said. "There are lots of rules and regulations. It was a silly, small mistake. The team is doing a fantastic job, we will keep on pushing and these things happen."