#CanadianGP: Hamilton takes pole, given Senna helmet

Montreal - Lewis Hamilton reeled off a stunning set of record-breaking laps on Saturday to claim pole position for the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix and draw level with his hero Ayrton Senna's total.

The three-time champion Briton steered his Mercedes to a fastest time of one minute and 11.459 seconds to outpace nearest rival and world championship leading Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by 0.330 seconds.

Both men clocked the first-ever times recorded at under one minute and 12 seconds at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

As it happened: 2017 Canadian GP - Qualifying

It was Hamilton's third pole this year, his sixth in Canada - equalling the record of German Michael Schumacher - and the 65th of his career, equalling the record set by Brazilian legend Senna.

Four-time champion Vettel did his best to grab pole, but had to settle for second ahead of Finn Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes and his compatriot Kimi Raikkonen in the second Ferrari.

"I am so happy," said a delighted Hamilton.

"Montreal has been good to me over the years and it was a close battle with the Ferraris.

"They have been very quick. My lap? It was a sexy lap... A great lap!"

Hamilton secured his maiden Formula 1 victory in Montreal 10 years earlier in 2007 and will be racing for his sixth win at the circuit in Sunday's race.

Amazing gift

To mark his success in equalling Senna's record - leaving only Schumacher's record 68 poles to beat - Hamilton was presented with one of Senna's helmets after the session, on behalf of the Senna family.

An emotional Hamilton said: "I am shaken."

Image: AP

Image: AP

Dutch teenager Max Verstappen was fifth fastest ahead of his Red Bull team-mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Brazilian Felipe Massa of Williams, Mexican Sergio Perez and his Force India team-mate Frenchman Esteban Ocon, and German Nico Hulkenberg of Renault.

2017 Canadian GP: Qualifying times
Q3
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1min11.459 
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1min11.789 
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1min12.177 
4. Kimi Rikknen (FIN/Ferrari) 1min12.252 
5. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1min12.403 
6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1min12.557 
7. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) 1min12.858 
8. Sergio Prez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.018 
9. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.135 
10. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Renault) 1min13.271

Q2

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1min12.496 (Q) 
2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1min12.563 (Q) 
3. Kimi Rikknen (FIN/Ferrari) 1min12.580 (Q) 
4. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1min12.749 (Q) 
5. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1min12.751 (Q) 
6. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1min12.810 (Q) 
7. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) 1min13.012 (Q) 
8. Sergio Prez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.262 (Q) 
9. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.320 (Q) 
10. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Renault) 1min13.406 (Q)

11. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Renault) 1min13.690 
12. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) 1min13.693 
13. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Renault) 1min13.756 
14. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1min13.839 
15. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1min14.293

Q1

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1min12.685 (Q) 
2. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1min12.692 (Q) 
3. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1min13.046 (Q) 
4. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1min13.177 (Q) 
5. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) 1min13.435 (Q) 
6. Sergio Prez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.470 (Q) 
7. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) 1min13.520 (Q) 
8. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1min13.543 (Q) 
9. Kimi Rikknen (FIN/Ferrari) 1min13.548 (Q) 
10. Fernando Alonso (ESP/McLaren-Honda) 1min13.669 (Q) 
11. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari) 1min13.780 (Q) 
12. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso-Renault) 1min13.802 (Q) 
13. Nico Hlkenberg (GER/Renault) 1min13.804 (Q) 
14. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1min13.990 (Q) 
15. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Renault) 1min14.051 (Q)


16. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Honda) 1min14.182
17. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1min14.209 
18. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1min14.318 
19. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber-Ferrari) 1min14.495 
20. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) 1min14.810