LEWIS HAMILTON MILESTONE POLE IN CANADA

Lewis Hamilton fastest in qualifying – Photo: LAT

Lewis Hamilton equalled the great Ayrton Senna with a lap record qualifying performance in Canada overnight.

The Mercedes driver became the first man to lap the Gilles Villeneuve circuit in Montreal in under a minute and 12 seconds, qualifying with time of 1:11.459 to claim pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix, the 65th pole position of his career.

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was the only other person to dip into the 11’s to complete the front row.

The Mercedes and Ferrari dual will continue off the second row with Valtteri Bottas narrowly eclipsing the time on FP2 pace setter Kimi Raikkonen.

Aussie, Daniel Riccardo qualified in sixth, just behind his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, the team locking out the third row of the grid.

Pascal Wehrlien was the only driver to strike issues in qualifying, spinning his Sauber at turn 1 before hitting the barrier.

Lewis Hamilton presented with Ayrton Senna helmet – Photo: LAT

To celebrate Hamilton’s 65 career pole position, equalling the mark set by his idol, he was presented a race worn Ayrton Senna by the Senna family.

Hamilton is now just three pole positions short of the record of 68 set by Michael Schumacher.

Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying Result

1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:11.459
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:11.789
3 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 1:12.177
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:12.252
5 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Renault 1:12.403
6 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull/Renault 1:12.557
7 Felipe Massa Williams/Mercedes 1:12.858
8 Sergio Perez Force India/Mercedes 1:13.018
9 Esteban Ocon Force India/Mercedes 1:13.135
10 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1:13.271
11 Daniil Kvyat Toro Rosso/Renault 1:13.690
12 Fernando Alonso McLaren/Honda 1:13.693
13 Carlos Sainz Jr. Toro Rosso/Renault 1:13.756
14 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 1:13.839
15 Jolyon Palmer Renault 1:14.293
16 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren/Honda 1;14.182
17 Lance Stroll Williams/Mercedes 1:14.209
18 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 1:14.318
19 Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari 1:14.495
20 Pascal Wehrlein Sauber/Ferrari 1:14.810

Make sure you pick up the next issue of Auto Action for a full analysis of the weekends Formula 1. In the meantime follow us  on social media Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.