The seven-time world champion took pole position for the inaugural rꦿace in Saudi Arabia after title rival Max Verstappen crashed on his final lap of qualifying while trying to beat Hamilton’s time. 

Verstappen set the fastest first two sectors and appeared on course to snatch pole awඣay from Hamilton until he locked up at the final corner and tagged the outside wall, damaging his car. 

The incident meant Hamilton’s lap time would go unbeaten, while teammate Valtteri Bottas improved to jump ahead of Verstappen and secure a sweep of✨ the front row for Mercedes. 

Hamilton was delighted with the r♑esult after Mercedes encountered struggles on the softest🥀 tyres throughout qualifying. 

“We were quic🔴k through practice, but for some reason P3 and particularly qualifying, just lacking pace,” Hamilton said. 

“We were struggling with the tyres, so, fo♉r us, to get a 1-2, I'm really proud of Valtteri, and the guys, the men and women in our team who have jus⭕t been working so hard. So yeah this is a great, great result.”

Hamilton conceded that Mercedes ultimately had no answer to Red Bull’s pace in qualify💎ing. 

“We've worked so hard through simulation, through se🐷tup, and the collaboration has been just epic with Valtter🦄i,” he explained. “He is the best teammate there's ever been in the sport for sure.

“And we've worked together to work on the set-up, getting the car to where it needs to be. Those guys were just so fast: tha🍌t [Red] Bull around this track is just something else.

“But given where we a💟re, I'm grateful for what✱ we managed to pull out with what we have.”

And Hamilton is also wary of a Red Bull fightback in the race, despite demonstrating some strong run long pace o☂n Friday. 

“We always get closer in race pace,” Hamilton added. “I think my long ru𒆙n was good yesterday but you know, they've [Red Bull] obviously picked something with the set-up and they're rapid today.

“So I anticipate it will be a close batt♍le all the way through tomorrow. But Valtteri and I will be on it.”