Hamilton moved to tears by Silverstone pole

Lewis Hamilton was moved close to tears after qualifying on pole position for a record-breaking sixth time at the British Grand Prix. Hamilton pipped Sebastian Vettel by just four hundredths of a second in an intense qualifying session at Silverstone on Saturday.

Vettel held the advantage into the final flying laps, but Hamilton trumped his title rival as he goes in search of a fifth-straight win on home soil, and sixth overall.

The home public have been right behind Hamilton all weekend, with English sporting fans also buoyed by the football side's run at the World Cup - their quarter-final against Sweden kicked off just as Hamilton sealed pole.

"I gave it everything he could," a shaking Hamilton said while appearing to choke back tears.

READ MORE: Hamilton snatches Silverstone pole from Vettel

"It was so close between these Ferraris, the Ferraris just pulled something out when it got to Q3 and I was just praying I could do it for you guys [the fans].

"I'm so grateful for the support because without you guys I wouldn't have been able to do it."

Ferrari have shown impressive pace all weekend and half of the top 10 are powered by the Italian manufacturer.

"These guys kind of pulled something special in Q2 and I knew we were up against it," Hamilton said.

"To put together the laps was the hardest I can remember it being.

"It took everything from me to get it.

"Huge amount of pressure on today but so grateful for my team working so hard."