Practice showing indicates Hamilton can pass Korea’s test

After finishing quickest in second practice on Friday, Lewis Hamilton will hope that his Korean Grand Prix fortunes have changed.

Since Yeongam was added to the calendar in 2010, the Brit has recorded two second place finishes before last year’s determined effort to claim a point from a 10th place finish following an anti-roll bar failure which shredded his tyres, a drive which McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh called one of the best in the team’s history.

Those performances were good, but the success-driven Hamilton will now be eyeing a spot on the top of the podium as a reward for his efforts though, and he looks tantalisingly priced at 7/2 to deliver one.

Following victories on his last two visits Championship leader Sebastian Vettel understandably heads the betting at 4/6, but after Hamilton’s Mercedes pipped the German’s Red Bull in P2 the Brit is in a positive mood.

“It’s been great,” said Hamilton after practice. “Really happy with the way the process and sessions have gone.

“We have some improvements we can make but otherwise all good. This is the first time I’ve actually felt like P2 has gone well, at least what I can remember. The car feels great here. We look like we’re competitive.”

Such words might strike fear into the heart of Vettel were the three-time champion not 1/100 for another title and virtually spraying the celebratory champagne already, but the German will be looking to bounce back when qualifying starts in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Vettel is 5/6 to set the fastest Q3 time, but with Hamilton in this sort of mood and seemingly full of confidence following his showing in practice, the 13/8 on offer for the Brit to beat him to it looks a bet to steer towards.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication