Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas has qualified on pole position for the 70th
Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Hamilton appeared on course to take his 92nd career pole but Bottas snatched the spoils at the death, finishing 0.063 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate.
Hulkenberg took an impressive third in his role as Sergio Pérez’s replacement at Racing Point. Pérez remains sidelined with coronavirus and Hulkenberg was the only driver within one second of the all-conquering Mercedes team.
“The last seven or eight days has been crazy,” Hulkenberg said. “This weekend I felt much better prepared. Q3 was just head down, full beans, and give it whatever I had. I’m a bit surprised to be standing here but there’s a big smile on my face.”
Bottas said: “It feels good. I just love qualifying especially when it goes well. I’m proud to drive this car. Our first job is to get a good start off the line tomorrow and go from there.”
Hamilton said: “Valtteri did a great job but for me it wasn’t a perfect last lap. I don’t think many teams will be doing a one-stop race tomorrow so let’s wait and see how things turn out.”
Max Verstappen took fourth ahead of Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo with Lance Stroll sixth for Racing Point. Sebastian Vettel’s poor form left him in a disappointing 12th.
Giles Richards’s race report from Silverstone to follow …