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| Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the qualifying session |
Six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton took pole position on Saturday ahead of the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years, with Mercedes team mate Valtteri Bottas completing a front-row lockout.
The pole made it 12 out of 12 for the champions this season and was a record-extending 97th of Hamiltonโs Formula One career.
It was also a bitter blow for Bottas, 69 points behind Hamilton in the championship, after the Finn had been quickest in every practice session as well as the first two stages of qualifying.
Hamiltonโs ninth pole of the year leaves him perfectly placed to win an all-time record 92nd victory on Sunday at the Algarve circuit near Portimao.
โI canโt tell you how hard that was today. Yes weโve got a great car but you have to drive the nuts off it to pull out a lap,โ said the Briton, who seized pole with his last of three flying laps.
โValtteriโs been so quick this weekend, youโve seen heโs topped every session. So Iโve just been digging and digging and digging and trying to find that extra time.โ
Red Bullโs Max Verstappen qualified third, with Charles Leclerc fourth for Ferrari in a boost for the Italian team after recent struggles.
Leclercโs team mate and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel managed only 15th, a place behind the Williams of George Russell.
REUTERS
