It was in-form Hamilton’s fourth pole at the British Grand Prix, his sixth this season and the 55th of his career.
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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his auto during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. FIA race director Charlie Whiting sent the teams a note on Friday stating that the permitted maximum time was one minute and 45 seconds.
Motorsport’s ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA), said Rosberg exceeded the permitted maximum time between two safety vehicle lines at the start of Q1.
The Mercedes Formula 1 team is off to a mixed start at the British Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton fastest in practice at his home event while team-mate Nico Rosberg was left stranded in the garage with mechanical faults. He faces a grid penalty, reprimand or fine.
Rosberg, who was blamed by stewards for a controversial last-lap collision at the Austrian Grand Prix that brought a “final warning” from Mercedes bosses for both drivers, was second in the morning session in 1:31.687.
Rosberg’s misfortune allowed the Red Bulls of Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Dutch teenager Max Verstappen to shine during a warm and sunny session at Silverstone as they took second and third places.
“I didn’t think there was anything that needed to be cleared up anyway”. No, Lewis was quicker today and I accept that, but there is a great opportunity tomorrow.
Talking about his relationship with Rosberg, he added: “Honestly, up until the last race, even with Barcelona, it is the best place I have been with Nico because we talk about things”.
The Brit trails Rosberg by 11 points in the drivers’ standings but now has every chance of narrowing that gap after qualifying fastest on Saturday afternoon.
Vettel, however, will start 11th after taking a five-place penalty for a gearbox change.
Hamilton has won three world championships and 46 races, so only Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51) stand ahead of him.
“We’ve pulled the auto apart”, he said. “We are strong compared to the cars behind us, but it seems like the Mercedes has a turbo button”.
Seventh place on the grid went to Bottas in the Williams, eighth to Sainz in the Toro Rosso, ninth to Hulkenburg in the Force India and tenth to Fernando Alonso whose McLaren’s turn it is to pretend to be nearly competitive (Button starts in 17th).
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Like Hamilton, Alonso had his best lap deleted for going off the track, an action that dropped him from eighth to 10th.
