If a lingering cold and the looming threat of punishment for his team is affecting Lewis Hamilton ahead of the European Grand Prix, he is not showing it.

The Formula One rookie who is leading the championship set the pace in Friday's two 90-minute practice runs for Sunday's race. He had the fastest time of the day in the morning and the second-best run in the afternoon in his McLaren. Hamilton has insisted this week that an upcoming hearing by the sport's governing body next week into McLaren's conduct over trade secrets has not been on his mind.

McLaren could end up losing points, being banned from a number of races or even thrown out of the championship if found guilty of breaking FIA rules.

Each penalty could ultimately rob Hamilton of a chance of becoming the first driver to win the title in his first year. Hamilton's biggest problem over the weekend could be Kimi Raikkonen, who is coming off two straight wins, in France and Britain, and who was faster than Hamilton in the afternoon session.
 

Kimi Raikkonen.com