LEWIS HAMILTON RECORD EQUALLING POLE AT SPA
Lewis Hamilton will start from pole position in the Belgian Grand Prix – Photo: LAT
Lewis Hamilton has equalled the all-time Formula 1 pole record that had been held by Michael Schumacher, after a commanding performance in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver dominated the earlier segments of qualifying, stamping his authority on the rest of the field. In his final run in Q3, Hamilton smashed the lap record, yet again, with a time of 1.42.553 to lock in his 68th career pole position.
Ross Brawn congratulates Lewis Hamilton on his record equalling 68th Pole – Photo: LAT
Hamilton’s effort equalled that of Schumacher, who’s family passed on their congratulations to the British driver via Liberty Media’s Ross Brawn.
“I can’t believe it,” said Hamilton on the grid after qualifying.
“I have to say a big thank you to my team. Ross (Brawn) was a big part in me coming to Mercedes.
“To come here and put a lap together like that is a dream.
“To hear the message that Ross just gave I have to say a big thank you. I pray for Michael and his family all the time.
“I had the privilege of racing with him and always admired him. I’m honoured to be up there with him. He will still be one the greatest of all time.”
Sebastian Vettel snuck onto the front row – Photo: LAT
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel did manage to sneak onto the front row ahead of Valtteri Bottas, after receiving a tow from teammate Kimi Raikkonen who had been leading the Ferrari pair until he “f***** it up” on his final attempt Q3. Bottas and Raikkonen make up the second row of the grid.
Red Bull locked out the third row of the grid with Max Verstappen holding a slight advantage over Daniel Ricciardo in qualifying.
Renault and Force India were the only other teams to make it to Q3, rounding out the top ten. Although Jolyon Palmer didn’t get to bank a lap time in the final segment of qualifying after stopping on track with an oil pressure issue in his gearbox.
McLaren’s Stoffel Vandoorne qualified 15th, but will start from the rear of the grid in his home Grand Prix after receiving a 65 place grid penalty for replacing multiple engine components.
Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat will receive a 20 place grid penalty after changing his engine. Williams Felipe Massa has a five place grid penalty for passing under double wave yellows in FP3. While both the Sauber’s have five place grid penalties for replacing their gearboxes.
Formula 1 – Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying – Result
| Position | Driver | Car | Time | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1m42.553s | – |
| 2 | Sebastian Vettel | Ferrari | 1m42.795s | 0.242s |
| 3 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1m43.094s | 0.541s |
| 4 | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari | 1m43.270s | 0.717s |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull/Renault | 1m43.380s | 0.827s |
| 6 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull/Renault | 1m43.863s | 1.310s |
| 7 | Nico Hulkenberg | Renault | 1m44.982s | 2.429s |
| 8 | Sergio Perez | Force India/Mercedes | 1m45.244s | 2.691s |
| 9 | Esteban Ocon | Force India/Mercedes | 1m45.369s | 2.816s |
| 10 | Jolyon Palmer | Renault | – | – |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso | McLaren/Honda | 1m45.090s | – |
| 12 | Romain Grosjean | Haas/Ferrari | 1m45.133s | – |
| 13 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas/Ferrari | 1m45.400s | – |
| 14 | Carlos Sainz | Toro Rosso/Renault | 1m45.439s | – |
| 15 | Stoffel Vandoorne | McLaren/Honda | – | – |
| 16 | Felipe Massa | Williams/Mercedes | 1m45.823s | – |
| 17 | Daniil Kvyat | Toro Rosso/Renault | 1m46.028s | – |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Williams/Mercedes | 1m46.915s | – |
| 19 | Marcus Ericsson | Sauber/Ferrari | 1m47.214s | – |
| 20 | Pascal Wehrlein | Sauber/Ferrari | 1m47.679s | – |
For all of the latest Formula 1 news, make sure you pick up the current issue of Auto Action, on sale now. In the meantime follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates.
