Hamilton puts new engine to use by besting Verstappen in Brazil qualifying
Lewis Hamilton made the most of taking a new engine by securing pole position for Saturday's sprint race with a dominant performance in qualifying at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Friday.
Taking a new internal combustion engine (ICE) means Hamilton has a five-place grid penalty hanging over him for the main event on Sunday, but he did his best to limit the potential damage by going almost half a second quicker than anyone else.
Championship leader Max Verstappen will join Hamilton on the front row on Saturday, denying Mercedes a lockout in the third and final sprint race of the season by narrowly outperforming Valtteri Bottas.
Verstappen could consequently see his 19-point advantage in the drivers' standings reduced before race day, but he was anticipating a strong display from the seven-time champion.
"When they take a new engine, naturally they have a bit more power, so it's not a big shock," said Verstappen.
"I'm just happy to be second. That's a good position to start from. Sometimes you have to be realistic and there wasn't more in it.
"There are not that many points to gain in the sprint race so I just aim to have a good first lap and see from there."
It was the first time Hamilton, who went fastest in all three sessions, had won a qualifying session since Hungary in July and he claimed it felt like a maiden pole position.
"I'm so happy to be back here in Brazil. That's the first pole in a long time," he said. "I feel really grateful. It's crazy because it's been a while so it feels like the first one.
"A big, big thank you to all the team because they've been working flat out. It's been so hard coming from the last race for everyone.
"Today was a really good qualifying session. I'm really happy with it. We've got the penalty but we'll give it everything we've got."
Sergio Perez took fourth behind Bottas, with Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc trailing Pierre Gasly but beating out the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo.
PROVISIONAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1:07.934