Lewis Hamilton was confident he had the speed to outpace Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg for pole position at the German Grand Prix, but the Briton says he just ‘could not finish’ the job at Hockenheim.
Hamilton was quickest in Q1 and Q2 and looked set to convert his dominance into the final part of the session as Rosberg hit troubles with the electronics on his car.
However, the German managed to get going again and clocked a stunning lap on heavier fuel to force a response from his title rival on his final attempt. Hamilton was one tenth up in the first sector but ultimately lost out by one tenth after suffering what seemed to be a lock-up.
“It’s been a good weekend,” the triple world champion replied when it was pointed to him that he had yet to match Rosberg’s speed so far.
“I had no problems, I had the pace today I just couldn’t finish it off on the last lap. I didn’t really have much of a lock-up, it was subtle, so I didn't lose any time.”
For the second time in as many weekends, Hamilton will line up alongside his team-mate on the grid. The Briton hopes he can enjoy a similar getaway to last Sunday when he overhauled Rosberg into the first corner and went on to win the race and take the championship lead.
“Only one car can go through turn one so it’s whoever gets there first.
“It’s a much easier track (on which) to overtake. But that doesn’t mean you can but it is much easier, it’s one of the easier ones.
“It will be a good day for Mercedes. We will race hard.”
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