Hamilton dedicates Monaco pole to Lauda

Lewis Hamilton dedicated his Monaco Grand Prix pole position to Niki Lauda after the Monaco non-executive chairman's passing this week. Hamilton had to dig deep to pip Valtteri Bottas to pole at the very last in Q3, setting a new track record in Monaco in the process.

Merceds have paid tribute to Lauda all week after his death at the age of 70 and Hamilton's stunning pole lap of 1:10.166 was another fitting way to commemorate the Austrian.

“I had to dig deeper than ever,” he said. “I’m so glad I can get that deep. That lap was beautiful. I feel amazing.

“This is definitely one of the best poles that I can remember.

“Obviously we’ve had lots of success over the years but I can’t remember one being like this, especially after a difficult week for the whole team, and personally a difficult weekend.

“The goal was to get pole. It’s amazing we turned up as a team, continuing to take strides together, get stronger. I’m so proud of everyone.

“To have a little bit of a cloud over us this weekend, and really trying to lift every one up and deliver for Niki.

“Valtteri did a sensational job. FP1, FP2 was good for me, today the car didn’t feel anywhere near as good as it did Thursday.

“I was digging deep, throwing the car around, I was struggling to get there on the first lap.

“I was throwing the car around, pretty sure I touched the barriers a few times, no other way of doing it here.

“I’ve never quite got that perfect lap here and I think today was as close as I could get to it, this one’s for Niki.”