Hamilton edges Verstappen in British GP qualifying
SILVERSTONE (UNITED KINGDOM): World champion Lewis Hamilton edged out title rival Max Verstappen in Friday’s British Grand Prix qualifying to take top spot on the grid for first ever sprint race held late yesterday
Hamilton clocked 1:26.134sec in his Mercedes to beat Red Bull’s Verstappen, the championship leader, with Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes third fastest.
A crowd of around 90,000 was on hand to witness the first Friday night qualifying session in F1.
Yesterday’s inaugural sprint qualifying race, the first of three this season, over 100km decide the starting positions for today’s main event.
“We have been missing this for a whole year,” said Hamilton, addressing the fans.
The seven-time world champion had arrived at his home race trailing Verstappen by 32 points in the title race.
Verstappen, who was just 0.075sec off the pace in qualifying, has won the last three races.
“Red Bull were very quick in the practice session but we were staying very focused on our job and trying to layer up,” added Hamilton.
“That first lap was great. The second one was looking even better but just lost the back end in that last corner, so my heart was in my mouth as I crossed the line.
“But I could see the crowd and it was really reminiscent of my first pole here in 2007.”
Hamilton can celebrate an eighth win on home soil today and 99th of his career.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez rounded out the top five.
George Russell, in a Williams, also had an evening to remember, finishing eighth fastest with fellow Briton Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, in the McLarens, in front of him.