Hamilton on British GP pole lap: I was shaking with emotion

Lewis Hamilton has rated his British Grand Prix pole position effort as ‘one of the best laps’ of his Formula 1 career to fend off the Ferrari attack at Silverstone.

Hamilton had seen Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel claim top spot honours after Friday practice and the battle between the two went down to the wire in Q3 with the Mercedes driver securing a fourth consecutive pole position at the British Grand Prix by just 0.044s over Vettel.

The reigning F1 world champion, who claimed a record of six career pole positions at his home race to draw level with Ayrton Senna (at the Brazilian Grand Prix), says he left little in reserve from his Mercedes and was physically shaking after grabbing his 76^th career F1 pole.

“I think for me with the whole build-up, with the whole intensity, the whole spur of the moment things knowing how close we were,” Hamilton said. “For me it feels like one of the best laps that I have been able to produce.

“I would say it felt like the most pressurised lap that I have ever had and then afterwards, I can’t tell you, I was shaking through the emotion through the adrenalin rush.

“It was way above the limit that I had experienced before which is the crazy thing as it’s my 76th. The 76th is so special.

“I am so happy, the team have just been doing a great job and I am really happy that I was able to deliver for them as well.”

Hamilton trails Vettel by one point in the F1 drivers’ world championship heading into the British Grand Prix where he is targeting a record sixth career victory. Hamilton currently sits level with British GP wins alongside Alain Prost and Jim Clark.