Hammy keeps nose clean in quali as Vettel takes pole
LEW IS SO CLOSE TO TITLE
LEWIS HAMILTON had to settle for watching Sebastian Vettel take his 50th pole position for the Mexico Grand Prix yesterday.
But as long as he finishes in the top five, Hammy will have the last laugh and wrap up his fourth world title today to join Vettel with a quadruple of championship crowns.
Max Verstappen appeared on course to become Formula One’s youngest ever pole sitter only for Vettel to beat the Red Bull driver with the final lap of a dramatic qualifying session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Vettel, who trails Hamilton by 66 points with just three grands prix remaining, must finish either first or second to stand any chance of taking the championship battle on to the penultimate round in Brazil.
Hamilton has won five of the six races since the summer break, including a dominant victory in Texas last weekend.
He said: “Congrats to Sebastian on reaching 50 poles. I tried to deny him but it wasn’t to be. It was a difficult session and it has been a difficult weekend.
“They did a great job and their car was working better than ours this weekend, but I am still there in the fight.
“The race pace is good so I am not worried about that but you can’t overtake here.
“There is a long way down to turn one so we should have some fun tomorrow.”
Vettel said: “I’m really happy. It’s difficult and slippy and difficult to get everything together in one lap.”