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Hamilton quickest in 1st US Grand Prix practice

Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Lewis Hamilton drove the Circuit of the Americas like he's won here four times before.

The Mercedes driver and Formula One season championship leader posted the fastest lap Friday in the first practice ahead of the U.S. Grand Prix this weekend. Hamilton's quickest lap in a session that started on a slick track from morning drizzle was 1 minute, 36.335 seconds.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was second, 0.593 seconds behind. Vettel likely has to win or finish ahead of Hamilton if he hopes to close a 59-point gap over the final four races of the season.

Hamilton has won the last three races on a circuit that has favored Mercedes' power. He started no lower than No. 2 each of those years and another victory would make his lead nearly insurmountable absent a late-season collapse.

Hamilton is chasing his fourth overall F1 championship and third since 2014.

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