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Lewis Hamilton during qualifying in Saudi Arabia
Photo:
Steven Tee / imago images / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton has secured pole position for the Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia.
In qualifying at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the Mercedes driver relegated his team-mate Valtteri Bottas to second place.
In his fifth pole of the season, Hamilton benefited from a mistake by World Championship leader Max Verstappen on the last lap.
The Dutchman was on his way to the best time, but crashed sideways into the wall and only finished third on the 6.174 kilometer circuit on the Red Sea.
At the first edition in Saudi Arabia, Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher were eliminated in the first knockout round of qualification.
In the best case scenario, Verstappen could become world champion for the first time on Sunday (6.30 p.m.; TV: RTL and Sky) in the penultimate race of the season.
ara / dpa