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AFP/DPA
Spielberg bei Knittelfeld (Austria)
Lewis Hamilton said he survived some “heart in the mouth” moments on Saturday as he claimed a spectacular pole position in treacherous rain-swept conditions for Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix.
After a disappointing practice day on Friday, the six-time world champion bounced back to his best as he outpaced nearest rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull by more than 1.2 seconds.
His dramatic demonstration of supreme skill and speed on a wet track at the Red Bull Ring increased his record total of pole positions to 89.
“Honestly, I am pleased with that,” he said.
“What a tricky day! The weather is obviously incredibly difficult out there for all of us and, a lot of the time, you cannot actually see where you are going.
“I had one big moment, on the lap before last, when I had a big aquaplane.
“I had my heart in my mouth, but I was able to
improve on the last lap, nice and clean. I love these days.”
The 35-year-old Briton had struggled with set-up issues on his Mercedes in Friday’s practice sessions, but said the team had resolved them and he was confident about Sunday’s race, whatever the conditions.
“Yesterday was a difficult day,” said Hamilton.
“It started off well in FP1 and then in FP2 there was a big issue for us, but we discovered it overnight - nothing major.
“I think today would have been better for us if it had been dry, but I am grateful for the rain, like always! I love these kind of conditions.
“Tomorrow looks like a much sunnier day, but we are prepared for both conditions and that’s where I want to start.
“So, I am glad it was a trouble-free session with no mistakes. That’s always a positive.”
The Mercedes world champion posted a best 1 minute 19.273 seconds around the soaking 4.318-kilometre Red Bull Ring after third practice had been cancelled due to the weather.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start second on the grid after skidding off in his last run. Hamilton claimed his record-extending 89th career pole by a stunningly large 1.216 seconds after nailing his own final lap.
Carlos Sainz took an impressive third for McLaren ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, who won the coronavirus-delayed season-opening Austrian Grand Prix at the same venue last week. Ferrari’s struggles continued with Sebastian Vettel 10th and Charles Leclerc, initially, in 11th place.
But Leclerc’s troubles grew when he was later handed a three-place grid penalty for blocking Daniil Kvyat in the second qualifying round, meaning he will start Sunday’s race in 14th place.British Mercedes driver claims
spectacular pole position
Spielberg bei Knittelfeld (Austria)
Lewis Hamilton said he survived some “heart in the mouth” moments on Saturday as he claimed a spectacular pole position in treacherous rain-swept conditions for Sunday’s Styrian Grand Prix.
After a disappointing practice day on Friday, the six-time world champion bounced back to his best as he outpaced nearest rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull by more than 1.2 seconds.
His dramatic demonstration of supreme skill and speed on a wet track at the Red Bull Ring increased his record total of pole positions to 89.
“Honestly, I am pleased with that,” he said.
“What a tricky day! The weather is obviously incredibly difficult out there for all of us and, a lot of the time, you cannot actually see where you are going.
“I had one big moment, on the lap before last, when I had a big aquaplane.
“I had my heart in my mouth, but I was able to
improve on the last lap, nice and clean. I love these days.”
The 35-year-old Briton had struggled with set-up issues on his Mercedes in Friday’s practice sessions, but said the team had resolved them and he was confident about Sunday’s race, whatever the conditions.
“Yesterday was a difficult day,” said Hamilton.
“It started off well in FP1 and then in FP2 there was a big issue for us, but we discovered it overnight - nothing major.
“I think today would have been better for us if it had been dry, but I am grateful for the rain, like always! I love these kind of conditions.
“Tomorrow looks like a much sunnier day, but we are prepared for both conditions and that’s where I want to start.
“So, I am glad it was a trouble-free session with no mistakes. That’s always a positive.”
The Mercedes world champion posted a best 1 minute 19.273 seconds around the soaking 4.318-kilometre Red Bull Ring after third practice had been cancelled due to the weather.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start second on the grid after skidding off in his last run. Hamilton claimed his record-extending 89th career pole by a stunningly large 1.216 seconds after nailing his own final lap.
Carlos Sainz took an impressive third for McLaren ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas, who won the coronavirus-delayed season-opening Austrian Grand Prix at the same venue last week. Ferrari’s struggles continued with Sebastian Vettel 10th and Charles Leclerc, initially, in 11th place.
But Leclerc’s troubles grew when he was later handed a three-place grid penalty for blocking Daniil Kvyat in the second qualifying round, meaning he will start Sunday’s race in 14th place.British Mercedes driver claims
spectacular pole position
