- World champion two-tenths clear of teammate Bottas
- 11th front-row lockout for Mercedes, with Verstappen third
Lewis Hamilton had been unequivocal in his determination to close the Formula One season with a statement of intent. Securing pole for Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix could not have been more emphatic. Once more he was untouchable and as almost every record falls to the world champion his form at the Sakhir circuit puts him on course to score a unique century.
Hamilton’s seventh title is already secured and with it he has equalled Michael Schumacher’s record. His pole in Bahrain was an object demonstration of why the Mercedes driver took the championship this season with three races to spare.
