Hamilton on pole for Mercedes at Silverstone

SILVERSTONE, England: Lewis Hamilton put in a sensational late lap under intense pressure to seize pole position for his home British Formula One Grand Prix from Mercedes teammate and title rival Nico Rosberg here on Saturday.

The triple world champion had just one chance to secure the top slot after an initial effort in the final top 10 shootout was deleted because he exceeded the track limits at Copse corner.

With championship leader Rosberg on provisional pole, and Hamilton 10th as the clock ticked away and fans held their breath, the home hero made sure of his 56th career pole and fourth at Silverstone.

“It was not the cleanest qualifying session,” said Hamilton.

“I touched the kerb and it just pulled me further. The car bottomed and kind of bounced just outside of the line.

“So a lot of pressure on that last lap. I was just sitting in the garage and I knew that I couldn’t let the guys down. The second lap wasn’t as good but I was making sure I got that lap in. I’m grateful that I did.”

If the front row is confirmed, Mercedes team bosses are sure to be watching nervously on Sunday after collisions between their drivers in three of the last five races.

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen outqualified his Red Bull team mate Daniel Ricciardo for the first time since his promotion to the senior team from Toro Rosso, with the pair filling the second row with Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen fifth. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel qualified sixth but will have a five place grid penalty for the second race in a row due to a gearbox change.

That will move the Williams of Finland’s Valtteri Bottas alongside compatriot Raikkonen on the third row in sixth place.