Lewis Hamilton claims pole position for Styrian Grand Prix

Minimal visibility and torrential rain had drivers skating on thin ice throughout qualifying with the reigning F1 champ taking the cake.

Torrential rain is threatening to create mayhem for Sunday’s race, and Australian star Daniel Ricciardo will be praying for dry weather.

Lewis Hamilton mastered the treacherous conditions at the Styrian Grand Prix to claim pole position on Saturday.

The defending Formula 1 champion edged out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to hold onto the top spot for Sunday’s race.

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Torrential rain plagued the entire qualifying session with drivers dealing with a constant downpour causing minimal visibility and plenty of spins off the track.

Hamilton however pulled off a stunning finish to the qualifying session as he crossed the line more than a second ahead of his nearest rival.

Spend 1min 19.273sec letting @LewisHamilton remind you why you fell in love with #F1 in the first place all those years ago. #StyrianGP pic.twitter.com/n5CbIA4ROs

— Matt Bishop (@TheBishF1) July 11, 2020

The British superstar said the “terrifying” conditions made claiming pole position all the more special.

“I like these conditions, but it’s terrifying. There’s an element of fun in it, but then there’s a massive area of sheer terror,” Hamilton said.

“You’ve got this whole group of people behind you relying you to deliver in the most treacherous and most trickiest conditions you could be provided with.

“Particularly raining as much it is, it’s hard to see, it’s hard to see where the lines are, and you’re feeling the car skip across aquaplaning moments. It’s even difficult sometimes just to stay full throttle down the straight because the car twitches and you’re accelerating kind of blind sometimes.

“But it’s something I enjoy doing and I don’t do too bad in.”

Verstappen was threatening to take pole position away, but spun out on the final corner and could only watch on as the time ran out on the final session.

“It was looking like a really good lap by Max, but Lewis’ lap was extraordinary,” said Sky F1’s Jenson Button.

What a qualifying that was! Absolute class from @LewisHamilton 💪#AustrianGP 🇦🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/g2D5y9XlWJ

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 11, 2020

F1 STYRIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING RESULTS

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull

3. Carlos Sainz, McLaren

4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes

5. Esteban Ocon, Renault

6. Lando Norris*, McLaren

7. Alex Albon, Red Bull

8. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri

9. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault,

10. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari

11. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

12. George Russell, Williams

13. Lance Stroll, Racing Point

14. Daniil Kvyat, AlphaTauri

15. Kevin Magnussen, Haas

16. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo

17. Sergio Perez, Racing Point

18. Nicholas Latifi, Williams

19. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo

20. Romain Grosjean, Haas