Hamilton escapes big shunt

The Manor Motorsport driver had made steady progress during the 30-minute session, and achieved his target of not hitting the wall, when he collided with TOM'S driver Tatsuya Kataoke on the final lap of the session at Fisherman's Bend.

Although Kataoke blamed Hamilton for causing the crash by turning in on him, the Briton said the accident could easily have been avoided.

Hamilton said: "My right mirror had fallen off a few laps beforehand so I couldn't see clearly if there were cars to the right of me. But I had seen everyone else coming up behind me on the straights through the left hand side mirror.

"I turned in at Fisherman's Bend as normal and I just felt this collision. It spun me around and tipped me up in the air and I was lucky not to flip over.

"It is quite frustrating because there was no need for the accident to happen. I kept out of trouble all the way through the session and then someone else puts me in the wall. He had plenty to chances to get past so I don't know why he tried at that place on the last lap of practice. It was a stupid move."

Hamilton ended the practice session 26th overall. Andrew Thompson was the leading Briton in 13th place, ahead of Danny Watts in 24th and Rob Austin in 25th.