Lewis Hamilton driving to victory in the 2011 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes]

FORMULA 1 motor racer Lewis Hamilton was third quickest in first practice for the 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver finished third on the timesheets at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit behind team-mate Jenson Button and Mark Webber.

The 2008 F1 world champion clocked a time of 1m 13.961s around the Interlagos track in P1 today (Friday).

Red Bull’s Webber set the pace in Sao Paulo with a fastest lap of 1m 13.811s, with Button second on a 1m 13.825s.

Sebastian Vettel was fourth, followed by the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso.

Herts-born Hamilton had to cut short his morning’s running after suffering slight damage to his car.

Qualifying in Brazil takes place from 4pm on Saturday.