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“It’s once we get to Q3, when it really mattered, most of the time I’ve been able to deliver this year and I’m very happy,” says Hamilton from the ninth pole in 12 in 2020; Hamilton can break all-time F1 win record on Sunday starting at 1:10 p.m., live on Sky Sports F1
By James Galloway
Last Updated: 10/24/20 6:48 pm
3:31
Lewis Hamilton talks about enjoying racing with his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas after he claimed P1 at the Portuguese GP.
Lewis Hamilton reflected on the turnaround on the final lap that saw him again overtake his Mercedes teammate, Vatteri Bottas, to a Formula 1 pole position, as he spoke enthusiastically about the respectful “competition” that drives Mercedes. in F1 2020.
Hamilton may have ultimately prevailed for his ninth pole of the season and 97 in F1, but Bottas had primarily led his teammate in the sport’s debut in fluid Portimao.
The Finn set the pace for the three practice sessions and the second stage of qualifying, Q2, before holding provisional pole for 0.047s after the final races of Q3. Bottas then further increased his lead on his final lap, but behind him on the track, Hamilton once again had other ideas.
“I love the competition. To see Valtteri thrive and drive like he has done all year has been incredible,” said Hamilton. Sky Sports F1.
“Like I said in the last race where I was in turn two [at the start of the Eifel GP, when Bottas retained the race lead wheel-to-wheel against Hamilton] he’s doing a great job.
2:36 Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson looks at the qualifying laps of the duo of Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas at Portimao.
“I really feel like I’ve been driving well all weekend, but every time I go back, he’s the first. Last lap to make it count.”
Speaking immediately after qualifying, Hamilton felt that his decision to do two timed laps at the end of Q3 to that of Bottas was decisive for him to overcome his teammate. Unusually, both Mercedes cars ran on theoretically slower medium tires for final attempts amid challenging grip levels at Portimao.
“In the end, I chose to do three laps to get a chance to beat his time,” said Hamilton. “On the last lap, he got better and better as he went along.”
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‘We have to get the socks off that car, I’m telling you’
In the midst of a season in which he is poised to become the most successful F1 driver of all time, with a record 92-race victory on Sunday now within reach from pole, Hamilton has enjoyed a remarkable record in Saturday’s shootings this year.
He has now claimed nine of the 12 poles this season and, with five races remaining in a shortened 17-round season, he is on track to equal or equal his best total in a season of a dozen in 2016, when there were 21 events.
“That was really the strength, I guess, this year,” Hamilton said of his last lap to win pole.
“It’s once we get to Q3, when it really mattered, most of the time I’ve been able to deliver this year, which makes me very happy.”
“But I tell you one thing, he [Bottas]he’s doing a great job. Yes, we have a great car, but we have to take the stockings off the car, I’m telling you. We are pushing that car beyond its limits to get the results that we have here. “
Hamilton on ‘great respect’ for Bottas
With Mercedes undefeated in the F1 pole battle this year, Hamilton leads Bottas 9-3, but Saturday was the fifth time the Finn lost by less than one-tenth and a half.
Explaining the nature of their partnership as a teammate, Hamilton said: “That’s really the great rivalry that we have on this team. We both push in the same direction, there is no conflict or friction between us.”
“There is great respect and that is why we work with the guys who push this team forward. We are almost rowing in the same boat.”
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