Lewis Hamilton was surprised to learn he had taken his 90th career pole position in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
“I have to pinch myself, it just doesn’t register,” said Hamilton, after leading a Mercedes one-two in qualifying.“It’s quite humbling to be honest because I get to work with an incredible group of people, who without I wouldn’t get the opportunity to do so. So I’m massively thankful to everyone back home and the guys here who do such an amazing job.”
Hamilton beat Bottas to pole position by one tenth of a second, with almost every other car a second behind. “Valtteri doesn’t make it easy for me at all,” he said. “It requires absolutely perfection when it comes to doing laps and qualifying like that it’s one of the things I enjoy most.”
After yesterday’s wet practice session, qualifying stayed dry apart from a few drops of rain. Hamilton is wary of the possibility of further rain during tomorrow’s race.
“It’s a long run down to turn one so nothing’s a given here,” he said. “We’ve just got to do the work this evening and ultimately I’ve got to deliver on myself tomorrow.
“It is quite a long race and we don’t know what this weather’s going to do for us tomorrow. For sure I’m going to have my head down and be focusing as hard as I can to try to bring a one-two home for the team.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
2020 F1 season
- Pictures: Wrecked chassis from Grosjean’s Bahrain fireball crash to go on display
- Bottas vs Rosberg: Hamilton’s Mercedes team mates compared after 78 races each
- F1 revenues fell by $877 million in Covid-struck 2020 season
- Hamilton and Mercedes finally announce new deal for 2021 season
- F1 audience figures “strong” in 2020 despite dip in television viewers
DAllein (@)
18th July 2020, 15:45
At no point in time was he surprised with 90th pole…
Klon (@)
18th July 2020, 15:55
Not a good look, Lewis, if you need “perfection” to beat a glorified midfielder.
AJ (@asleepatthewheel)
18th July 2020, 16:01
@klon let’s put you in the car instead?
bob (@riptide)
18th July 2020, 16:23
Yea I thought the same when he used to beat Alonso. Alonso was clearly just a midfield journeyman at that stage of his career. Wouldn’t you agree?
Broke84 (@broke84)
18th July 2020, 17:06
Hehehe.
medman (@medman)
18th July 2020, 19:00
Funny thing…Hamilton does well against every teammate he’s ever raced against, and by my count that includes 3 F1 world champions. When Lewis has been given a reliable car at McLaren and Mercedes, he’s done the job at a level no one else has. 6 driver championships on the trot….with more to come? Case opened, case closed. Any argument to the contrary is asinine.
Dual Wield
18th July 2020, 17:22
Bottas is very good over 1 lap. He demolished Massa in qualifying when they were together very similar to what Alonso did to him.
James Neutron (@phillyspur)
18th July 2020, 16:08
Comment sections have become so predictable.
Kimberley Barrass
18th July 2020, 16:56
90 poles is insane no matter who you are. What car you’re in. That level of consistency is awesome! Great job LH!
Broke84 (@broke84)
18th July 2020, 17:04
Exactly. It’s not like he is given undisputed no1 status. They offer both drivers equal opportunity and Hamilton delivers. No one should think Bottas isn’t anything but an amazing driver, just unfortunately for Bottas Hamilton is at his peak.
pSynrg (@psynrg)
18th July 2020, 17:41
@broke84 or another way to look at it. Bottas is lucky Lewis is no longer at his peak. Or he wouldn’t have a chance of getting pole…
Broke84 (@broke84)
18th July 2020, 18:26
Why do you think Hamilton is not at his peak? He had a slightly off 1st race and is already acing it from round 2.
pSynrg (@psynrg)
18th July 2020, 21:57
@broke84 well assuming he is at his peak, then Bottas is just a fraction behind (unless it’s wet ;) ). Makes Bottas look really good. Which is not the general consensus?
Nick T.
19th July 2020, 7:28
@psynrg
Bottas is very good. He’s probably the best after LH, MV, FA, DC. But, no matter how good your teammate, when you lose consistently to them, people start to write you off.
Nick T.
19th July 2020, 7:22
Per usual and much like Toto, Hamilton is great at talking up average rivals to make himself look good and also soothe their hurt feelings/egos. Both Mercedes looked immaculate and he had the nerve to say the car wasn’t even close to being on rails.
Nick T.
19th July 2020, 7:24
BTW, Hamilton is a legend. So, he doesn’t need to make himself look good, but I think it is a strategy to keep his teammate from being more aggressive in the race with him.
Tor
19th July 2020, 8:47
Got to laugh at Hamilton and his minions: Absolute perfection (Hamilton). Electric, imperious, another level, breathtaking (F1.com).
Reality = beat an average team mate by a tenth.