Hamilton roars onto pole position in Melbourne

Lewis Hamilton dominated qualifying for the first Grand Prix of the season, posting the fastest lap ever at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. That was enough to see him equal the great Ayrton Senna’s record of six pole positions at the Australian Grand Prix. Rather than celebrating, the British driver said he felt his time should have been even quicker. Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel will be second on the grid for Sunday’s race, with Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas third.

Valtteri did a great job in his first qualifying session for the team. It is close between us all and it is going to be a tight race this year, I think.

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton started from pole position in this race last year, but finished second to former team-mate Nico Rosberg. Rosberg also edged Hamilton for the world drivers’ championship and then retired, creating room for Bottas to move across from Williams.

I was not entirely happy with my lap but I think Lewis did a very good lap and I don’t think pole was up for grabs but we can do something in the race.

Sebastian Vettel

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