Hungarian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton takes pole

 

Agency
Saturday 27 July 2013 14:20 BST
Comments
Lewis Hamilton made it three pole positions in a row for the first time in his Formula One career as he confounded himself and his team
Lewis Hamilton made it three pole positions in a row for the first time in his Formula One career as he confounded himself and his team (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lewis Hamilton made it three pole positions in a row for the first time in his Formula One career as he confounded himself and his team.

In sweltering conditions, as the Hungaroring basked in 33 degree heat and the track temperature hit a very rare 50, Hamilton also sizzled in his Mercedes.

The 28-year-old Briton dislodged Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel from top spot in a stunning top-10 shoot-out with a flying lap of one minute 19.388secs, leaving the triple world champion 0.034secs adrift.

Mercedes headed into the weekend readily conceding they were on the backfoot, with motorsport director Toto Wolff admitting there was no chance of claiming pole.

The Brackley-based marque were banned from the young driver test at Silverstone last week when Pirelli debuted their new specification of tyres.

Marrying last year's construction with this season's compounds, the tyres have been introduced for safety reasons after a number of blowouts occurred during the British Grand Prix last month.

Mercedes initially struggled during practice as they gathered the necessary data required to make the correct calls on set up.

But even when Hamilton crossed the line at the death to claim top spot on the grid and was informed of the fact, he replied: "Pole?"

Lotus' Romain Grosjean lines up ahead of Merceces' Nico Rosberg who had been quickest in Q1 and Q2, with Vettel's title rivals Fernando Alonso in his Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen for Lotus fifth and sixth.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa will start seventh ahead of Daniel Ricciardo for Toro Rosso, with McLaren's Sergio Perez ninth.

Mark Webber, who scraped into Q3 but with a KERS issue, failed to set a time in the last 10 minutes and will start 10th.

Adrian Sutil was ousted from a place in the top 10 right at the death of Q2 by Perez, missing out by 0.024secs and will line up 11th in his Force India, followed by German compatriot Nico Hulkenberg for Sauber

Jenson Button finished two tenths of a second behind Perez in Q2 and could only manage 13th, with Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne alongside him on the grid, whilst Williams' duo Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas occupy row eight.

Esteban Gutierrez starts 17th for Sauber after suffering an engine issue during final practice, resulting in the Mexican failing to set a timed lap, so clearly compromising him during qualifying.

Paul Di Resta, who has struggled so far this weekend, endured another tough Saturday afternoon in the cockpit of his Force India.

Seemingly struggling with the new construction of tyres, the Scot starts 18th in his Force India following his worst qualifying performance this year.

Caterham's recent improvements mean they lock out the 10th row, with Charles Pic ahead of Giedo van der Garde, leaving Marussia duo Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton bringing up the rear.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in