World champion Lewis Hamilton topped the grid for the game’s first sprint race after beating title rival Max Verstappen in British Grand Prix qualifying on Friday.
Hamilton clocked 1 minute 6.134 in his Mercedes to beat Red Bull’s Verstappen, the championship leader, with Valtteri Bottas third fastest in the second Mercedes.
F1 had a crowd of around 90,000 to watch the qualifying session on the first Friday night.
Saturday’s inaugural sprint race, the first of three this season, will span over 100km and decide the starting place for Sunday’s main event.
“We’ve been missing it for a whole year,” Hamilton said while addressing the fans.
The seven-time world champion had reached his home match, 32 points behind Verstappen in the race for the title.
Verstappen, who was just 0.075 seconds off pace in qualifying, has won the last three races.
“Red Bull were very quick in that practice session but we were very focused on our work and trying to layer,” Hamilton said.
“I was using this as a practice session in the sim this morning because it’s the first time we’ve ever had a morning vac, just put in the time and absolutely give everything away. Leave no stone unturned.
“That first lap was great. The second one looked even better but that last corner just lost the back end, so my heart was in my mouth as I crossed the line.
“But I could see the crowd and it was really reminiscent of my first pole in 2007.”
Hamilton could celebrate this weekend’s eighth victory on home soil and the 99th victory of his career.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez rounded out the top five.
“We just need to look at ourselves. The car is handling quite well, but a lot of understeer – so I couldn’t attack any corners, but looked a little awkward,” Verstappen explained
“I don’t think it was related to the set-up or the front wing, it’s still close enough so it will be fine.
“You qualify and are flat out and it doesn’t make sense and you don’t get pole – it’s a weird feeling.”
Williams also had an evening to remember George Russell, with fellow Britons Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finishing eighth fastest in front of him at the McLarens.
Carlos Sainz in a second Ferrari and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in an Aston Martin completed the top 10.
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