MERCEDES secured yet another front row with Valtteri Bottas snatching pole from Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton missed the chance to make it three poles in a row in Formula 1’s 70th anniversary race at Silverstone, with Bottas leaving it late to qualify first.
Qualifying took place in tropical conditions as the track temperature soared up to 42C.
Silverstone is hosting its second race in a row and this weekend is in honour of F1’s 70th anniversary.
Mercedes dominated last week despite both cars suffering late tyre failures and Hamilton crossed the line first to take the win.
But this week his team-mate will be starting at the front of the gird after pipping six-time world champ Hamilton by 0.063 seconds.
Bottas already had plenty to celebrate after signing an £8million one-year contract extension with Merc and will hope to be spraying the champagne after Sunday’s race conclusion.
Nico Hulkenberg proved to be an excellent super sub for Sergio Perez who is still out after twice testing positive for Covid-19.
Hulkenberg claimed third on the grid after an astonishing lap for Racing Point, with Canadian team-mate Lance Stroll also faring well to secure sixth.
Max Verstappen took fourth for Red Bull ahead of Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo.
Brit Lando Norris scraped into Q3 by the skin of his teeth and will start in tenth place.
Ferrari’s troubles continued after a very disappointing result for German driver Sebastian Vettel.
Vettel was knocked out in Q2 and will start way back in 12th after his decision to go out on the soft tyres backfired.
Brit George Russell just missed out on making the top ten after a courageous effort for Williams and will start in 15th position in tomorrow’s race.
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Kimi Raikkonen will become the most experienced F1 driver of all time this season, overtaking Rubens Barrichello.
But the veteran Finn was fuming at the performance of his Alfa Romeo after yet another early exit as he starts rock bottom in 20th.
He said: “One place, two places it doesn’t matter we’re just too f***ing slow.”