Wolff: 'Lewis put it all on the line on final run'

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was left overjoyed and thoroughly impressed with Lewis Hamilton's barn burner qualifying lap which earned the Brit pole.

Hamilton put in the first sub-1m12s lap in the history of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve early in Q3, but a challenge mounted by Sebastian Vettel encouraged the Mercedes driver to go out for an ultimate run.

Hamilton's last gasp effort yielded a fantastic lap which left Wolff mightily impressed.

"I'm very pleased indeed with how the team has worked this weekend," said the Mercedes boss.

"We have improved the car from session to session, made good decisions with the set-up and, with a sensational lap from Lewis on top, pole is the reward.

Record-setting lap puts Hamilton on pole in Canada

"We spent the first half of qualifying working out which timed lap was the optimum for tyre performance and, in the end, settled on the first timed lap.

"It was all on the line for Lewis in that final run, so to find three tenths was very impressive; it takes him to a very significant milestone in his career, level with Ayrton Senna in terms of pole positions, which I know means a lot to him.

"For Valtteri, third on the grid is a strong starting position but he wasn't as comfortable with the car today.

Wolff is expecting another tight show down with the Scuderia tomorrow.

"It was very closely matched with Ferrari and I'm sure we will see more of the same tomorrow.

"I am always the skeptic when it comes to making predictions - but that's the mind-set we need to cover all the bases tonight and have a strong race.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.