Lewis Hamilton: "It's been a long slog getting this pole position"

F1 News

30 November 2019 at 14:05
Last update 30 November 2019 at 14:22
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Lewis Hamilton has qualified on pole for the first time since the 2019 German Grand Prix. The Formula 1 world champion endured his longest run without a pole position since 2011 and the British driver expressed his "long slog" to get there. 

Hamilton beat his teammate Valtteri Bottas to pole position with the other Mercedes car only managing P2. However, with Bottas' grid penalty he'll be starting the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the back. 

In his interview on track, Hamilton expressed just how long it's been since he was last on pole. He's proud to get the 2019 Mercedes car on pole for one last time. 

"It's been a long slog trying to get back on pole. We've been working really hard and the other drivers have also been doing really well on Saturdays. But we never stop working, we never give up and we're always looking for those extra milliseconds," Hamilton said after the session. 

"Yesterday was quite wobbly so I had to re-compose myself and had to come back today and re-focus. I managed to dial in the car with the hard work of the engineers. Every time I come Abu Dhabi the crowd are great and there’s a lot of love here. We never give up, there’s always room to improve. There’s been a lot of growth in the team and just over these last couple of races.

"Valtteri 2.0 has been rapid, especially this weekend. To end the qualifying season with a pole and to say goodbye to this car with a pole, is extra special."