Montreal: Lewis Hamilton was both stunning and stunned Saturday when he reeled off a set of record-breaking laps to claim pole position for Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix and was then given one of his hero Ayrton Senna’s race helmets.
The Brazilian’s family arranged the presentation to Hamilton for equalling Senna’s career total of 65 poles. The three-time World Champion Briton steered his Mercedes to a fastest time of one minute and 11.459 seconds to outpace nearest rival and World Championship leading German Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari by 0.330 seconds.
It was Hamilton’s third pole this year, his sixth in Canada – equaling the record of German Michael Schumacher, and the 65th of his career.
Four-time champion Vettel did his best to grab pole, but had to settle for second ahead of Finn Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes and compatriot Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.
“I am so happy. Montreal has been good to me over the years and it was a close battle with the Ferraris. They have been very quick. My lap? It was a sexy lap… A great lap!,” said a delighted Hamilton.
To mark his success in equalling Senna’s record – leaving only Schumacher’s record 68 poles to beat, Hamilton was presented with one of Senna’s helmets after the session, on behalf of the Senna family.
An emotional Hamilton said, “I am shaking… Wow… I am speechless. Ayrton was my favourite driver. He inspired me to be where I am today. To receive this is a great honour. Thank you to the Senna family.”
Hamilton was presented with the helmet during post-session live television interviews out on the circuit and was clearly surprised.
Dutch teenager Max Verstappen was fifth fastest ahead of his Red Bull teammate Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams, Mexican Sergio Perez and his Force India teammate Frenchman Esteban Ocon, and German Nico Hulkenberg of Renault.
