Lewis Hamilton Just Broke A Lap Record In Suzuka

Yep, him too...


Article heading image for Lewis Hamilton Just Broke A Lap Record In Suzuka

Tis the weekend for breaking lap records.

Scott McLaughlin's done it twice at Mount Panorama ahead of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Now it's Lewis Hamilton's turn.

The Brit showed Mercedes are back at their crushing best in Suzuka, landing his 71st career pole position for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix.

Incredibly, it will be the first time Hamilton's started on pole in Japan.

But he's won here twice before and can complete the hat-trick if the Mercs are again on song in race trim.

Hamilton's 1:27.312 was 1.5 seconds quicker than title rival Sebastian Vettel who'll start second.

"It has been a really good day and every lap was fantastic," said the Brit.

"I never really got a great balance in the past I never did a great qualifying."

"The car is crazy here. I've been running out of opportunities to get this pole so I knew I had to make it stick today."

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas actually qualified second, but will start sixth after a copping a penalty for an unscheduled gearbox change.

Fellow Finn and Ferrari steerer Kimi Raikkonen was going to start 6th, but he too required a new gearbox after crashing in practice. 

The second row belongs to Red Bull with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen starting side-by-side.

Earlier, Ricciardo had other things on his mind during practice, if this Instagram post is anything to go by.

 

Sean Maynard

10 December 2018

Article by:

Sean Maynard




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