Hamilton takes US pole with fifth title in sight

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Lewis Hamilton has taken a big step towards clinching his fifth Formula One title after putting his Mercedes on pole position by just 0.061 seconds at the US Grand Prix in Austin on Saturday with Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel starting fifth.

The 33-year-old Briton, who will become only the third driver to win at least five titles if he scores eight points more than Vettel on Sunday, will share the front row with the German's Finnish team mate Kimi Raikkonen.

Vettel qualified second fastest, but has a three-place grid drop after failing to slow sufficiently while red flags were being waved in Friday practice.

The pole was a record-extending 81st for Hamilton and his ninth of the season.

Lewis Hamilton prepares to drive in the garage during practice for the United States Formula One Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, United States, on October 19, 2018. /VCG Photo

"That was very important, that was close," said Hamilton, "once we went into that last run, I knew it was quite edgy between us. It was going to require solid laps. The first one was decent but not good enough. The second one was just that little bit better."

Ferrari had looked the faster team in the second phase of qualifying, with Raikkonen top of the time-sheets and Vettel second.

There was also very little between them in the final shootout, with the top three separated by less than a tenth of a second.

"After the weeks we had I'm pretty pleased we are back in range. Today has been surprisingly close, I don't think we expected it to be that close," commented Vettel, who vented his frustration over the team radio after crossing the line.

Another win on Sunday would be Hamilton's fifth in a row, and Vettel would have to finish second to keep the championship alive to Mexico the following weekend.

Source(s): Reuters