HAMILTON MAKES HISTORY WITH 100TH POLE AT THE SPANISH GP

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton became the first Formula One driver to take 100 pole positions after lapping fastest for Mercedes in Spanish Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday. The 36-year-old was already way ahead of the rest in the record books, with retired Ferrari great and fellow seventime champion Michael Schumacher second on the all-time list with 68.

The Briton whooped with delight over the team radio as his engineer told him the news. “I feel very humble, very grateful. I’m ecstatic, like it’s my first,” said Hamilton after the session at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya. Hamilton’s pole continued a remarkable run of Mercedes domination, with the champions taking the top slot in every race at the Spanish circuit since now-retired Nico Rosberg began the sequence in 2013. “I can’t believe we’re at 100 and really it’s down to the men and women back at the factory who are continuously raising the bar and just never giving up,” said Hamilton, who will be chasing a record-extending 98th career win on Sunday.

“The support that I have, it’s been a dream for me to work with these guys, and the journey that we’ve been on has been immense.”

Only five constructors in the 71-year history of the sport have racked up 100 poles or more, and Hamilton’s milestone puts him far ahead even of Red Bull, who as a team have so far managed 64. Hamilton, who took his first pole with Mclaren in 2007, had set the fastest time with his first flying lap of the final phase.