Respectful handover between Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton

He was simply unstoppable. Lewis Hamilton hardly blinked on the way to a historic pole. However, the task was not made easy for him at the conclusion of Q3. As soon as the green light was given, the Mercedes team headed in the wrong direction after fitting intermediate tires on both cars.

The future poleman was then walking a tightrope. Especially since, on the opposite side, Red Bull had cleverly put on the green compound tires. But talent did the rest. With style, Hamilton found the grip and delivered a stunning final lap, in the right place, at the right time.

With a time of 1:35:554, driver 44 set a gap of 1.148s over Daniel Ricciardo, the first of the others! (later relegated to 17th place)… However, it should be noted that Lewis Hamilton’s gap is not the most significant of the V6 Turbo Hybrid era. In July 2014, Nico Rosberg had set a gap of 1.620s on Sebastian Vettel (then with Red Bull) during the qualifying of the British Grand Prix, in changing conditions. The Briton had then faltered in his last lap, finishing only sixth…

The connection between the past and the present

At the peak of his thoughts, Lewis Hamilton wanted to pay tribute to Michael Schumacher, who is still in an intense rehabilitation phase more than three and a half years after his skiing accident in the Méribel resort.

I wanted to dedicate this pole to Michael and his family, for everything he has done for our sport. Raising this bar a bit higher is an honor.

From last week at Spa, the two big names in motorsport were brought closer together, particularly through the congratulations from the Schumacher camp, with the phrase dear to the Red Baron: “Records are made to be broken.”

« I would like to speak to his family and see how things evolve. But time will tell. Getting a pole here in Monza is a huge way to pay tribute to him. It’s a sort of baton passing between him and me. »

Congrats to @lewishamilton for equalizing the all-time pole position record. Records are there to be broken! #TeamMichael #KeepFighting

— Michael Schumacher (@schumacher) 27 août 2017

More generally, the Mercedes spearhead realizes the extent of his achievement, going back to his childhood memories.

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It took time to get there. Growing up with this sport, watching idols like Michael, dreaming of doing what he did. It’s an honor and a privilege to be in this sport. We are proof that dreams come true.

And let the competition be reassured, the McLaren baby that has grown up does not want to stop in its tracks. The main party involved announced this Thursday that he wants to extend the adventure with Mercedes until 2020, two seasons beyond the end of his current contract.

« I haven’t permanently set the record yet. I will continue to improve it. And there are also other drivers relatively close like Sebastian. And then maybe someone else will come along. So I have to take it as far as possible. »

Here is the chronology of the record, excluding ties.

* The team and the Grand Prix of the last Pole position established as a record are indicated here.

The party will be later, now it’s time for the race!

To be honest, the new pole position record holder doesn’t have time to savor it. The battle, for the race and for the championship, will rage this afternoon under the returning sun of Monza. Hamilton knows it: he must earn points on a track that is favorable to him, before the heat of Singapore, which is tricky for his W08.

« If the race is dry, it will help me a lot. There are also the Williams and the Force India which will be fast on the straight. And of course Valtteri! »

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I hope it will be a difficult day for Ferrari. I just have to move forward and keep a cool head. All I know for now is that I will try to have one of my best days!

From our special correspondent in Monza