With the ꧅2017 Formula 1 world championship title in his grasp, Lewis Hamilton gave an ominous warning to rival Sebastian Vettel by producing his “best ever” Ultra-Soft run of the year in free practice despite a first lap spin in FP2.

Hamilton’s afternoon session stalled early on when he spun off at turn 11 on his opening flying lap on the Super-Soft ty🌃res but after returning to track action on the purple-banded Ultra-Soft tyres, the Mercedes driver notched up remarkably consisဣtent lap times to demonstrate dominant race pace.

As a rꦡesult, Hamilton is relishing the Mexican Grand Prix knowing he needs a minimum of fifth place to wrap up a fourth F1 worlꩲd title.

“It's been a good day today but it didn't really start out great, particularly in the sec✤ond session with the big spin on my first lap,” Hamilton said. “That really threw off the session and obviously made it a little bit tricky to get the run on the Super-Soft so I put myself on the back foot.

“But the single lap and then the long run on the Ultra-Soft was probably o༺ne of the best I've ever done. I don't think I've ever done 26 laps that consistent, apart from in the race maybe.

“We got lots of information, the track was feeling better in the second session 🌳once the temperature came up.”