Finland’s Valtteri Bottas will start the Formula One season on pole position after denying Mercedes team mate and six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton the top slot in Austria on Saturday.
The front-row lockout by Mercedes equalled Ferrari’s record of 65, and the “Black Arrows” — their new livery a statement against racism – were in a private duel at the scenic Red Bull Ring.
Hamilton had started as favourite after dominating all three practice sessions but Bottas shifted up a gear just when it mattered.
“It feels really good, I’ve missed this feeling,” said the Finn of a third career Austrian GP pole after 2017 and 2018, and one secured despite tracking across gravel and grass on his final flying lap.
“Our team have done an amazing job, we seem to be in our own league.”
Hamilton was a mere 0.012 slower than the Finn’s time of one minute 02.939 seconds, set on his first run, after lapping fastest on Friday and Saturday’s final practice at the scenic Red Bull Ring.
“The car was great, I just didn’t manage to put the greatest laps together,” said the Briton.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, winner of the past two races at his team’s home circuit, qualified third — half a second slower than Hamilton — but as the sole driver in the top 10 on the medium tyres.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, at 20 the youngest man in the race, will line up an impressive fourth.
