Hamilton back in the groove

Lewis Hamilton's British Grand Prix disappointment was short-lived as the McLaren ace topped the testing times at Spa-Francorchamps on Tuesday.

On the first day of the first official Formula One test at the Belgian circuit, McLaren star Hamilton finished 0.4 seconds quicker than Robert Kubica in his BMW Sauber.

With the 7.004-kilometre circuit revamped in preparation for the grand prix in September after last year's absence from the calendar, all 11 teams took to the track.

Championship leader Hamilton, who finished third in Sunday's race at Silverstone, completed the most laps - 83 - with his best a time of one minute 46.613secs.

The Ferrari of Felipe Massa was third-quickest, but just over 0.8secs slower than Hamilton, who will make way for Fernando Alonso on Wednesday.

The Toyota of Ralf Schumacher was over a second down, followed by Renault test driver Nelson Piquet Jnr, with David Coulthard sixth for Red Bull Racing, although technical gremlins blighted his day.

The remaining drivers comprised Nico Rosberg (Williams), Tonio Liuzzi (Toro Rosso), James Rossiter (Super Aguri), Christian Klien (Honda) and Spyker's Guido van der Garde, who brought up the rear three seconds off the pace.