Silverstone (England): Lewis Hamilton took pole position for his home British Grand Prix for the third year in a row here Saturday with a sensational lap that left him one step away from Michael Schumacher’s Formula One (F1) record. Hamilton’s time of 1:26.600 was more than two seconds quicker than the lap record he set here 12 months ago.
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen will join the Mercedes driver on the front row, with championship leading teammate Sebastian Vettel qualifying third.
Hamilton’s mastery of a damp but drying track lit up an overcast afternoon as he chalked up the 67th pole of his career, and sixth of the season, with every chance of equalling Schumacher’s 68 before the August break.
The triple World Champion has won the last three British Grands Prix and starts as favourite to equal the late Jim Clark’s feat of four home wins in a row, and five in total, Sunday.
Meanwhile Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas finished fourth but will start ninth after being handed a five-place grid penalty during the final practice session, due to an unscheduled gearbox change. Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo has also been punished for the same reason.
McLaren’s Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, collected a massive 30-place drop for various engine penalties, ensuring the Spaniard starts at the back – a familiar experience for the double champion this season.
The penalties look like turning qualifying into a straight battle between Hamilton and the Ferraris in a session likely to be overcast but with a decreasing likelihood of rain after steady morning drizzle.
Reuters
