Sawt Falasteen - 'Ecstatic' Hamilton rolls back the years with Silverstone pole

The 41-year-old seven-time world champion thrilled a big crowd with a final best lap in one minute and 28.376 seconds to outpace championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 0.011 seconds.

"I'm so happy, just so happy," said Hamilton, who on Sunday will seek to add to his record nine wins in his home event's main race.

"We didn't expect we would be competing for the front row so it's an amazing surprise. I'm ecstatic.

"This track is still just phenomenal and so great to drive – and we didn't have the engine drop-off (in power output) that we had anticipated.

"It all goes back to the work of everyone at the factory. They are pushing so hard. Last year, we were in a rut, but this season is so different – we have a real synergy now and we are adding small bit to add performance every week.

"And Silverstone is so great – it's the best track in the world to drive!"

Hamilton's sprint pole is the third of his career and could earn him important points if he wins to boost his bid to win a record eighth drivers' world title.

He told a fans event at Silverstone on Friday evening that he would carry on racing until he had achieved that ambition.

His successor at Mercedes, when he left for Ferrari at the end of 2024, 19-year-old Antonelli, hugged him after qualifying.

"It was so close between us," the Italian said.

"So for me, it is a shame. In SQ1, I felt a bit bad and we made a slight balance adjustment and it was night and day and we were back on the pace

"In the end, there was a little left on the table for my last lap and I was super-close to Lewis... But, of course, congrats to him.”

- 'Things to figure out' -

Four-time champion Max Verstappen claimed fourth for Red Bull and said he was "happy with the outcome, but it was very close".

"I have a few things to figure out for more lap time," said the Dutch driver.

"Lewis and Kimi look a bit too quick for me."

Charles Leclerc qualified fourth in the second Ferrari ahead of George Russell, last Sunday's winner in Austria, in the second Mercedes.

"Lewis is more often at 100 percent of the potential of the car, which I'm not," admitted the Monegasque.

Russell said: "It's the story of my year, to be honest. Always on the back foot. I usually make a step forward in Q3, but not today."

Defending champion Lando Norris, who won last year's British Grand Prix, was sixth ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

"It was unfortunate today," said Norris, who had damaged his car during practice.

"The pace was still there but not enough to compete. It’s cool for the fans to have Lewis P1."

Earlier Vasseur quelled speculation on Hamilton's future confirming he would stay with Ferrari next year.

"He knows the tools, the people and our approach now," said Vasseur. "And with these good results, he's entered a virtuous circle."

K.AbuTaha--SF-PST