Lewis took his 87th career Pole Position ahead of tomorrow’s German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.
Hamilton continued Mercedes’ dominant run, as both Ferrari’s were struck with reliability issues.
Hamilton: “I don’t know really how we did it today – I’m not quite sure what happened to the Ferrari’s. It’s so important to us, at our second home Grand Prix.”
“I think if Leclerc had done a lap at the end, it would have been close between us.”
Ferrari Falter Again
Sebastian Vettel was unable to set a lap time during qualifying as his Ferrari was hit with a turbo issue that was encountered early in Q1.
Consequently, Vettel became a shock casualty in qualifying and is set to start from the back row of the grid.
This was an unfortunate occurrence for the Scuderia who were on top form throughout the practice sessions.
Vettel: “I don’t know what happened – something was broken with the turbo.”
“It’s bitter for us. The car feels great and we have missed a big opportunity here.”
On the other side of the garage, Charles Leclerc looked set to fight for pole.
But just as Q3 begun, the Monegasque himself was also hit with a reliability problem, forcing him to settle for tenth on the grid.
Leclerc on his Q3 exit: “I have no idea if it was the same issue as Sebastian, on my side it was a fuel system problem.”
Heartbreak at Ferrari today ?
A double retirement saw Vettel out of Q1 – and Leclerc out of Q3 #F1 ?? #GermanGP pic.twitter.com/JMnaEJFcmP
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 27, 2019
Verstappen Splits the Mercedes
With Ferrari out of the picture, Hamilton stormed to pole and was three tenths clear of the closest car.
However, the Silver Arrows were unable to lock out the front row, as Max Verstappen cemented his Red Bull into second position.
Verstappen: “I’m really happy to be in P2 on the front row, and it’s great to see so many Dutch fans here – overall it’s a good result for us”
Bottas only managed third place in his Mercedes, just ahead of Pierre Gasly, who had his fastest time in Q3 deleted due to a track limits infringement.
Gasly would’ve been within one-tenth of the front-row had the time been allowed.
Luckily for the Frenchman, he didn’t lose any ground and will lineup in fourth place.
However, despite a lack of pace compared to Hamilton, Bottas already shifted his attention towards race day.
Bottas: “I think weather is going to play a big part tomorrow, obviously a disappointing qualifying – I didn’t really find the confidence I had in FP3.”
Raikkonen Best of the Rest
Kimi Raikkonen was extremely close to getting his Alfa Romeo onto the second row, after claiming an fifth place.
Romain Grosjean’s Haas was sixth, beating the McLaren of Carlos Sainz Jr.
Qualifying proved to be a session of two halves for the Woking-based outfit, as Lando Norris failed to advance from Q1.
He subsequently joined Vettel, Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon and both Williams’ in the drop zone.
Racing Point’s upgraded package looked to pay off, as Sergio Perez qualified in eighth. Additionally, Lance Stroll also progressed from Q1 for the first time this season.
Nico Hulkenberg managed to out-pace his Renault teammate Daniel Ricciardo, the sole Renault in Q3. The German will start ninth, with Leclerc’s Ferrari alongside him.
