British racer Hamilton happy with practice in Australia

British Formula One racer and triple world champion Lewis Hamilton on Friday said the day was "99 percent perfect" after registering the fastest lap in two practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix here.

"It was 99 percent perfect. What's really encouraging is that we've arrived at the track just a week later and the car is exactly where it should be. It's feeling great out there and the guys have done a fantastic job," Hamilton said in remarks published by his team, reports Efe.

Regarding his rivals in Ferrari, the Mercedes driver said they were not at the top in the first session but did a lot better in the second round, when Ferrari's German Sebastian Vettel slipped into second place ahead of the other Mercedes driver, Finnish Valtteri Bottas.

Bottas, who joined the Mercedes team this year to replace the now retired champion Nico Rosberg, said he hopes to do better in the practices on Saturday, after coming in second and then third in the free practices on Friday.

--IANS

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