Lewis Takes F1 Pole In Russian GP Qualifying
Sochi — Lewis Hamilton took a step closer to equaling the Formula One win record Saturday by clinching position at the Russian GP , after narrowly avoiding early elimination when Sebastian Vettel crashed.
Hamilton charged to a track-record time of 1 minute, 31.304 seconds, beating the Red Bull of Max Verstappen by 0.563 for his fifth straight position . Hamilton are ready to do his 91st career win within the race on Sunday, matching the record of Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, was beaten into third by Verstappen’s fast run at the highest of the session and was .652 off Hamilton’s time.
The end of the day from the grid to the first significant turn means Bottas could yet threaten to overtake Hamilton at the start Sunday using the slipstream from his teammate’s car.
“It’s nice being on pole but here is probably the worst place to urge on pole,” Hamilton said.
Bottas earned his first win at the two 017 race in Russia after starting third and overtaking the 2 Ferraris before him at the start .
Verstappen said he was delighted to start out second.
“I wasn’t expecting that and actually it’s great for us. If we will get an honest start tomorrow you never know what can happen,” he said.
Vettel lost control of his car over the kerb on the within of the 90-degree, right-hand turn four and spun into the wall, before the Ferrari bounced back onto the track. Teammate Charles Leclerc was following closely behind and narrowly missed the wrecked car, driving over its discarded front wing.
“Oh my God, that was very, very close,” Leclerc told his team over the radio. Leclerc qualified 11th and Vettel 15th as Ferrari didn't reach the top-10 shootout with either car for the third time in four races.
Vettel’s crash meant the red flag was waved while Hamilton was trying to line his first valid lap time to make the third session – after his first attempt was earlier ruled out for going off the track.
After the track was cleared and thus the session restarted, Hamilton had to rush his out-lap to make it over the road in time for a further flying lap with just a second to spare.
“It was horrible,” Hamilton said. “Heart within the mouth.”
Earlier within the third and final practice Saturday morning, Hamilton set the pace with a time of 1 minute, 33.279 seconds that was 0.776 better than his Mercedes teammate Bottas, who had been quickest within the primary two sessions.
Hamilton was also asked to report back to race stewards over another incident during which he went off the track within the primary a neighborhood of qualifying. No further action was taken. it had been found Hamilton didn't gain a plus because the lap time wasn't counted.
Hamilton is that the runaway championship leader with a 55-point advantage over second-place Bottas and 80 over Verstappen. If he can earn four more pole positions within the last seven races, he would be the primary driver to 100 in F1 history and takes F1 pole in dramatic Russian GP qualifying.
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