Lewis Hamilton did not expect such a gap

In 1'26″600, Lewis Hamilton not only took pole position for the British Grand Prix this Saturday afternoon at Silverstone, but the Briton also once again lowered the record for the current configuration of the English track.

Author of his 67th career pole, and the fifth on his home soil, thus equaling Jim Clark's record, the Briton largely dominated the competition, Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) failing more than five tenths of the Mercedes W08 n°44.

« I loved the conditions in Q1, it's tough but the changing conditions are so much fun. Then it was about pushing to the limit as the track dried out, whilst extracting all the potential from the car.

Everything was so perfect and I knew it was a spectacular ride – I knew it had to be. I think I've never driven so well, so hopefully the results will start to show that. It's been very tight recently, and finishing with such a gap with Ferrari is a nice surprise. »

A pole once threatened

Despite his unchallenged domination on the track, Lewis Hamilton was forced to wait a few minutes after qualifying to obtain confirmation of his result, after being placed under investigation for having obstructed Romain Grosjean during the session.

An investigation which ultimately did not result in any sanction for the protégé of Toto wolff. « I would never intentionally get in the way, confesses Hamilton. I don't think I was on Romain's trajectory, but if I was, I apologize. »