• Hamilton holds off challenge of Bottas and Leclerc
• ‘Valtteri goes in and puts in bloody good laps every time’
For Lewis Hamilton, pole at the French Grand Prix seemed an almost inevitable conclusion for a driver clearly enjoying a confidence and touch in a Mercedes that is exceptional even by his own standards. In contrast for Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, what has already been a difficult weekend looks set to end only in another largely thankless slog on Sunday afternoon after he could manage only seventh. Indeed, such was the gap between Mercedes and Ferrari, for the first time this season Hamilton clearly indicated his battle for the title was now with his teammate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton has 86 career poles. This is his third this season and with five wins already his form here suggests another is well within his grasp. He is, as he put it in France, firing on all cylinders. Calm and collected enough to put in an almost flawless performance with equanimity.
Written by Giles Richards at Paul Ricard
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jun/22/lewis-hamilton-pole-position-f1-french-grand-prix under the title “Lewis Hamilton storms to pole for F1 French Grand Prix”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
