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Hamilton fastest in wet 1st practice at US Grand Prix

Dan Istitene / Getty Images Sport / Getty

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton's fastest lap on a wet morning held up as the best of the day at Friday's U.S. Grand Prix practice.

The fading title hopes of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel took a big hit when he was given a three-place starting grid penalty for driving too fast under a red flag in the morning. Vettel must win Sunday or finish within seven points of Hamilton to extend the championship to next week in Mexico City.

Hamilton was in dominant form in the soggy early practice. His lap of 1 minute, 47.502 seconds at the Circuit of the Americas was 1.3 seconds clear of teammate Valtteri Bottas. Vettel was fifth in the morning session.

Drivers stayed in the garage for most of the rain-soaked afternoon session. Hamilton only drove the last 8 minutes and couldn't post a faster time. Vettel drove only the last 12 minutes.

More rain was expected Saturday. Local forecasts predict a dry race Sunday.

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