Hamilton matches Schumacher and Senna records with Australia pole

Lewis Hamilton matched two all-time Formula 1 records held by Michael Schumacher and took one for himself by taking pole position for the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday. The Mercedes star also equalled Ayrton Senna after setting a blistering lap time around Albert Park.

Hamilton took pole position in Australia for a sixth year in a row – setting a new benchmark after previously holding the record jointly with Schumacher, who took pole five years on the spin in Spain.

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It's an all Silver front-row for tomorrow's #AusGP! Get in there, Valtteri. Mega effort to take P2. ???? #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/IUqKM18BEm

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 16, 2019

The reigning champion's pole was his eighth overall in Australia at Albert Park – matching the grand prix and circuit record held by Schumacher (Japanese GP, Suzuka) and Senna (San Marino GP, Imola).

Hamilton also matches Schumacher in another regard, having set a pole position time for the 13th season on the spin – surely a record that the Brit will take for his own next year!

Hamilton will have another record in his sights t take for his own - having racked up a 58th pole in Mercedes colours, matching Schumacher's tally with Ferrari.

His pole time of 1:20.486 also dropped the lap record at Albert Park – beating his previous best from 12 months ago.