'Heart In My Mouth': Rain King Hamilton Storms To Styrian Grand Prix Pole
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 11, 2020 | 11:20 PM
Spielberg bei Knittelfeld, Austria, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2020 ) :Defending six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton delivered one of his greatest qualifying performances in treacherous rain-swept conditions on Saturday when he stormed to pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver, who struggled in practice on Friday, bounced back to his best with a fastest lap in one minute and 19.273 seconds, outpacing nearest rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull by a stunning 1.2 seconds.
His performance confirmed his enduring class on a day when heavy rainstorms had delayed the session by 45 minutes and forced the cancellation of third practice.
It was his third pole success at the Red Bull Ring circuit, the 89th of his career and confirmed his reputation as a great driver in the wettest conditions.
"What a tricky day," said Hamilton.
"It was so difficult for all of us with this weather and some of the time you can't see where you are going, but I loved it - though I did have a big aquaplane and had my heart in my mouth." Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz was third for McLaren ahead of Valtteri Bottas, winner of last Sunday's season-opening Austrian Grand Prix at the same circuit, in the second Mercedes, Esteban Ocon of Renault and Lando Norris in the second McLaren.
Norris, however, will drop three places on the grid after taking a penalty on Friday for ignoring yellow flags in opening practice.
That will elevate Alex Albon, who was seventh in the second Red Bull, Pierre Gasly of Alpha Tauri and Daniel Ricciardo, ninth in the second Renault, but leave Sebastian Vettel 10th in the leading Ferrari on another difficult day for the Italian team.
- 'I can't see a thing' - His team-mate Charles Leclerc qualified 11th.
Leclerc, however, was later penalised three places on the grid for blocking Kvyat.
After a 45-minute delay, Q1 began with Vettel first out for Ferrari.
Both the four-time champion and Bottas were promptly told that the rain would intensify, making it vital to record a "banker" lap, in case the conditions deteriorated seriously.
"I can't see a thing," said Verstappen as Vettel clocked a time soon trimmed by his rivals, including George Russell of Williams, the best lap time descending rapidly as plumes of spray lifted water off the asphalt.
Having been trapped 19th, Hamilton jumped to the top to be replaced by Leclerc and then Bottas and Verstappen in succession as others, including Ocon and Grosjean, slithered off and recovered.
After his travails in Friday's practice, Hamilton was sensational.
"Just leave me to it," he told his engineer on team radio as he pulled clear before Antonio Giovinazzi crashed at Turn 10, recovered and then parked his Alfa Romeo.
His exit brought red flags out with seconds remaining, a move that meant early elimination for both the Italian and his team-mate Kimi Raikkonen along with Sergio Perez of Racing Point, Williams rookie Nicholas Latifi and Romain Grosjean of Haas.
Perez had been fastest in opening free practice on Friday morning.
All this meant Russell delivered Williams' first Q2 appearance since the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, a welcome tonic for the struggling former champions.
Vettel was first out for Q2, but without the pace to worry the front-runners as Verstappen duelled with Hamilton and both Ferraris struggled, Leclerc failing to make the top-ten cut.
The Monegasque qualified 11th one place ahead of the remarkable Russell, claiming his career-best starting spot, ahead of Lance Stroll's Racing Point, Daniil Kvyat of Alpha Tauri and Kevin Magnussen of Haas.
Verstappen led the way in the final shootout.
"There's a lot more water down," warned Hamilton as the Dutchman clocked 1:21.800 to set the pace, his extreme wet tyres visibly shedding water.
Hamilton then took control with a surge of rapid laps before the Dutchman responded but spun off in a final flurry of late high-speed action.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
3 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
4 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
4 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
4 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
4 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
6 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
10 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
11 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
11 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
14 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
16 days ago