Lewis Hamilton is convinced he has a car capable of winning the British Grand Prix despite finishing third in the opening practice session at Silverstone today.

The McLaren driver's time of 1min 19.623secs was just 0.048 behind the Ferrari of Felipe Massa, who set the fastest lap before crashing at more than 160mph into a tyre wall after skidding on oil at Stowe Corner. The Brazilian title leader emerged shaken but unhurt.

Massa is 10 points ahead of Hamilton, who arrived at Silverstone full of confidence because of the experience he has gained with his car over the last 12 months.

Firing on all cylinders: Hamilton looked sharp in Friday's opening practice session at Silverstone and is confident he can end Britain¿s drought in the home grand prix

Hamilton revealed he knew the McLaren he planted on pole position last July would never compete with the faster Ferrari of title rival Kimi Raikkonen once the real action began.

Hamilton thrilled the crowd last year with a sensational lap in qualifying that was rewarded with a time just 0.1secs better than Raikkonen.

But, come the race, his lack of testing at Silverstone left him with a poorly-balanced car and Raikkonen's better pace enabled the world champion-elect to take a comfortable victory.

Twelve months on from making that first Formula One appearance in front of his home supporters, Hamilton is confident he can become the first home winner of the British round of the championship since David Coulthard triumphed in 2000.

The 23-year-old from Hertfordshire said: 'Last year I went into the race and I knew I didn't have the car to win. But I did the best I could. I drove it like a go-kart, I slung it around and still got a podium with third place.

This year I’m in a much better position, where I know what I want from the car and I know how to get it. Already, just turning up, I’m much better prepared.'

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60 years of Grand Prix at Silverstone

The source of Hamilton's optimism was last week's three-day test session at Silverstone in which he beat the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Massa to the best overall time.

He said: 'It was really productive test for the team, we made some good improvements with the car. It would be amazing to win on Sunday.

'You want to win every race, but when you come to your home Grand Prix it's probably the one you want to win more than any other.'

Hamilton's third win of the season, following his success in the opening race in Australia and a brilliant drive in Monaco, would also put him right back in contention for the title after a nightmare couple of races.

An embarrassing crash in Canada, where he rammed Raikkonen's stationary car after failing to spot a red traffic light at the end of the pit lane, was followed by a drive-through penalty incurred in France last week after he cut a chicane.

Those errors earned admonishment from seasoned observers who believe Hamilton's embracing of a celebrity lifestyle is exacting a toll on his driving.

Hamilton denies this but admits once his days in Formula One are over he may try and carve out a career as an actor.

The Briton has enjoyed appearing in TV commercials and said: 'I'm very much into films and I'm very fond of actors, so I might try acting in the future. At the moment my focus is on the racing, but I'm sure in the future opportunities will arise.'