Lewis Hamilton steals pole in thrilling last-gasp lap for Singapore Grand Prix
A remarkably cool Lewis Hamilton snatched a dramatic last-gasp pole position from his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg for today's Singapore Grand Prix with a phenomenal qualifying lap on Saturday.
I knew I had the pace, but it was just about putting the sectors together which is not easy
The 29-year-old Briton left it late, crossing the line after three rivals had in succession cut their times to take provisional pole to the raucous delight of the crowd as he secured the prime starting position by just 0.007 seconds - or less than the length of their Mercedes' nose cones.
Rosberg, who leads him by 22 points in the drivers' championship with six races left, will start from second place after the Mercedes pair grabbed their team's seventh one-two of the year.
It was Hamilton's third pole in Singapore, his sixth this season and the 37th of his career.
Rosberg's reaction was pithy, but understandable when he was given the news on team radio: "Dammit!" But, after an intriguing session, there was none of the acrimony that has punctuated their duel for glory this year.
Hamilton, who is putting Rosberg under pressure with his recent speed, raised a fist to celebrate in his car, but stayed calm after the session. "I knew I had the pace, but it was just about putting the sectors together which is not easy," he said.
