Hamilton looks Hungary

Published on 29/07/2012 03:21

Lewis Hamilton will start from pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix after winning yesterday’s qualifying session ahead of Romain Grosjean and world champion Sebastian Vettel.

The British driver clocked 1 minute 20.953 seconds to put 0.413 seconds between himself and Lotus driver Grosjean, who achieved his first front-row start of the season for today’s race.

Red Bull’s Vettel finished in 1:21.416, just ahead of Hamilton’s team-mate Jenson Button.

“It’s been a really positive weekend so far,” said Hamilton, who was also fastest in Friday’s two practice sessions and second behind Mark Webber of Red Bull in yesterday’s morning practice. “Still, we have a very long race tomorrow so lots can happen, but we just need to keep our cool.”

It was Hamilton’s third pole of the season and his third pole at the Hungaroring, too. He has one victory in 2012 and is fifth in the standings.

“It’s the same as everyone else when they win races,” Hamilton said when asked about the secrets to his success in Hungary. “You just have to keep your head cool and make sure you look after your tyres. Tyre strategy is going to be important.”

It was the 150th pole position for McLaren, which contested its first F1 race in 1966. The team has dominated at the Hungaroring in recent years, winning five of the last seven events.

Hamilton triumphed here in 2007 and 2009, while Button – who won his first race here in 2005 while racing for Honda – is the defending champion on the famously winding Hungarian circuit, where passing is difficult.

World championship leader Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was sixth, behind Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen.

Rou nding out the top ten on the starting grid were Ferrari’s Felipe Massa, the Williams duo of Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna, and Nico Hulkenberg of Force India. Scottish driver Paul Di Resta, who also drives for Force India, qualified in 12th place.