Hamilton ends Verstappen's string of pole positions in Hungarian GP qualifying
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Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position since 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix and ended Formula One champion Max Verstappen's bid for a sixth straight pole on Saturday.
Lewis Hamilton took his first pole position since 2021 at the Hungarian Grand Prix and ended Formula One champion Max Verstappen's bid for a sixth straight pole on Saturday.
Hamilton pumped his left fist several times after placing just .003 seconds ahead of Verstappen on his last lap to secure a record-extending 104th pole but first since Saudi Arabia in December 2021.
"Get in there, let's go boys!" So good!" Hamilton shouted on team radio before letting out a high-pitch whoop.
"It's been a crazy year and a half ... I didn't think today we'd be fighting for pole," Hamilton said. "I just need to try and see if I can sleep tonight."
It might not be easy, given the rush of joy he felt.
"I just had a grin on my face, what an uplifting feeling for the whole team," the seven-time F1 champion said. "When I went into the last run I gave it absolutely everything."
Wins and poles used to be as common for Hamilton as they are becoming for Verstappen, but Hamilton feels Mercedes is finally giving him a better shot at a first victory since his record 103rd race win, also in Saudi Arabia two years ago.
