Motor racing-Hamilton fastest in final Turkish GP practice

ISTANBUL, Aug 25 (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton lapped fastest in final free practice for tomorrow's Turkish Grand Prix, despite a scare when his McLaren stopped at the start of the session.

The British rookie championship leader, seven points clear of team mate Fernando Alonso with six races remaining, completed the Istanbul Park circuit in 1:27.325 seconds.

Ferrari's Brazilian Felipe Massa, winner from pole position in Turkey last year, was second quickest 0.041 seconds slower.

His Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen was third on the timesheets with double world champion Alonso fourth.

Hamilton pulled up on the grass runoff at the end of the pit lane in the opening seconds of the session and had to be pushed back to the McLaren garage by marshals.

The team said a connector had worked loose.

REUTERS PDS VC1710