Hamilton 'had no indication' of Grosjean's approach

Lewis Hamilton was celebrating winning pole position for the British Grand Prix in an exciting Saturday qualifying session.

Hamilton was over half a second clear of second place man Kimi Raikkonen in Q3, as he equalled Jim Clark's record tally of five home poles at Silverstone.

But Hamilton's achievement remains under threat, after he appeared to impede Haas' Romain Grosjean during the session. The incident was referred to the race stewards for further investigation.

"I need to watch the replay," said Hamilton when asked about the incident in the post-qualifying press conference.

"I was coming round to start my lap. Valtteri was up ahead, I was - as we all do - trying to get the space. Behind me was one of the Force Indias who then came in, so there was no one behind me.

"Literally as I was about to get on the gas I looked in the mirror and I saw there was a car coming.

"I had no indication from the team that there was anyone coming," he insisted. "I went as quick as I could - I don't know if I got in the way. If I did, I apologise.

"I think I just about got away without blocking him, but as I say I need to look at the footage."

If race stewards decide that Hamilton did block Grosjean, he could face a three-place grid penalty for Sunday's race. That would see him start from fourth place behind the Ferraris of Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

• Qualifying: Hamilton on pole ahead of Raikkonen and Vettel

That would certainly take the icing off a brilliant final lap in qualifying for the home favourite. His lap of 1:26.600s is a new track record for the current Silverstone configuration.

It makes up for the disappointment of last week when he was only third fastest in qualifying.

"I feel amazing, especially with a great crowd like this all around the track," he said immediately afterwards. "Thank you guys so much for all the support. I hope you like the lap!"

"With so much support I had here this weekend, I needed to make sure I got that lap in. I didn't do it at the last race so I really made sure I saved it this weekend."

It had been a tricky session, with light rain picking up just minutes before the start of qualifying. It eased off during Q2 and track conditions were much improved in time for the final top ten pole shootout.

"I generally like it to be dry, but I quite like the conditions when they're tricky," said Hamilton. "These typical English conditions, it's what we grew up racing in so I feel very comfortable racing in it.

"When it dried up, that's really when you can - especially when it's quite cool, the tyres are working perfectly, that high speed section is quite incredible."

This year's new downforce and tyre regulations are helping make the cars much quicker this season, especially here at Silverstone

"Cospe isn't flat - you can do it flat, but it's actually slower because of the exit in eighth so it's almost flat," explained Hamilton.

"But what's really interesting is turn eleven, twelve thirteen is flat, and the left-hander is flat which it wasn't before."

Assuming that the stewards don't take pole away from him, all that remains is for Hamilton to put it to the best use in tomorrow's race.

"It's definitely the best position to start from. The long runs were looking great, so I need to make sure I do it for these guys," he said, indicating the fans in the grandstand.

 
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