Hamilton sets pole record with dramatic last lap in the rain
MONZA, Italy — Full throttle at more than 300 kph (nearly 200 mph), his vision impaired by heavy rain pounding down on his shiny golden helmet, Lewis Hamilton pulled out a clutch performance to enter the F1 record books on Saturday.
Drawing on all of his talent, ability and experience, Hamilton kept his focus through a 2 1/2-hour rain delay. He then overcame a late challenge from rising rival Max Verstappen to claim his 69th career pole position and break the Formula One record previously held by his childhood idol, Michael Schumacher.
Verstappen had taken the top spot just before Hamilton’s final lap, so when Hamilton reclaimed P1 with time expired he rapidly pumped his fist multiple times. It was the type of celebration normally reserved for race victories.
“After such a long time waiting in the rain, I think the racing fans got their money’s worth from the dominant lap Lewis produced right at the end — even if they were probably cheering a bit more for the cars in red than for us,” said Toto Wolff, the head of motorsport at Hamilton’s Mercedes team.