Mercedes lead the pre-qualifying practice laps as Lewis Hamilton seeks home victory

Nico Rosberg pipped Lewis Hamilton in a Mercedes one-two at Silverstone on Saturday as the heat raced up for the British Grand Prix.

Hamilton crossed the finish line just 0.146s behind Germany’s Rosberg, who completed the 5.9 km track in 1:31.487 seconds as Red Bull duo Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber took third and fourth spot.

Mexico's Sergio Perez, however, was left limping away from his vehicle just 15 minutes into the race after the left-rear tyre of his McLaren suffered a blow-out as the result of a cut sidewall.

Hamilton led the race as proceedings resumed, but Rosberg edged him to top spot on the timesheets.