Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the United States Grand Prix and will have title rival Sebastian Vettel alongside him on the front row. Hamilton beat Vettel by 0.239 seconds as the German rescued his day with a superb final lap. Vettel was fourth after the first runs in final qualifying, over 0.7secs off the pace, but improved at the death.
Hamilton, who took his 11th pole in 17 races, will clinch the title if he wins the race with Vettel lower than fifth.
It was Hamilton’s 11th pole position in 17 races so far this season and it continues a weekend of domination for the 32-year-old at one of his favourite circuits. Hamilton topped all three practice sessions and all three parts of qualifying to stamp his total authority on the weekend.
Hamilton said he “loved this track” but said qualifying was difficult because of a gusting strong wind in hot and humid conditions.
“It is going to be a great race,” he said. It is going to be a tough one. Looking after the tyres in these conditions is going to be tough but I am the best prepared I can be.”
Hamilton said it was “highly unlikely” that he would win the title on Sunday.
“Sebastian did a great job to get back up there. Unless he makes a silly mistake – which is very unlikely; he’s a four-time world champion – it is going to continue to the next race.
“This is such a fantastic circuit, just the layout and the way the wind comes really makes it challenging. You are constantly dancing with the wind.”
Ferrari have had a difficult weekend, starting with a spin for Vettel on Friday, a car problem which led to a chassis change, but recovered well on Saturday.
Vettel said: “I was very happy in the end. I was lacking a bit the rhythm, especially the transition from the first to second sector. Got it right in the end, but it was very tricky with the wind.”
His front row starts sets up a potentially fascinating battle between the two in the race, when Ferrari are usually more competitive than in qualifying.
The heat is also giving Mercedes concerns. The hotter it is, the more problems they have managing tyre temperatures, which could be a significant issue for them in the race, although it is expected to be a few degrees cooler on Sunday than the 30C temperatures in south Texas yesterday.
PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS & FIXTURES
Chelsea 4 – 2 Watford
Huddersfield 2 – 1 Man United
Man City 3 – 0 Burnley
Newcastle 1 – 0 Crystal Palace
Stoke 1 – 2 Bournemouth
Swansea 1 – 2 Leicester
Everton vs Arsenal 1:30pm
Tottenham vs Liverpool 4pm
