Stoner finishes first in British GP practice

World champion Casey Stoner set the fastest time in Friday’s practice for the British Grand Prix, making the most of mixed weather conditions at a track where he won in the rain last year. The Australian, who will retire from the sport at the end of the season, clocked 2min 04.791sec on his Honda as the circuit dried with Yamaha rider Ben Spies, 0.034sec back on a Yamaha and Honda man Alvaro Bautista 0.204sec off the pace on a Honda. Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo, who leads the standings by 20 points from Stoner, was down in seventh place, 0.697sec behind the Australian. Ducati’s Nicky Hayden finished fourth fastest while teammate Valentino Rossi, who was fastest in the wet in the morning, had a disappointing afternoon session finishing in 11th. From gulftoday