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Carlos Sainz Jr.
in the English rain
Photo: CHRISTIAN BRUNA/EPA
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr.
surprisingly secured pole position for the British Grand Prix on Sunday (TV: 4 p.m. / RTL and Sky) in the rain chaos at Silverstone.
The Spaniard prevailed against world champion Max Verstappen (Netherlands) and his teammate Charles Leclerc (Monaco) under adverse conditions on the traditional circuit.
For Sainz it was the first pole of his career.
He is the 104th driver to take pole in the history of Formula 1.
Vettel and Schumacher out early
Ex-world champion Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim) and Mick Schumacher experienced a small disaster with repeated rain.
One day before his 35th birthday, Vettel only finished 18th in his Aston Martin, Schumacher was penultimate - a major setback for the Haas driver, who actually wanted to aim for his first World Championship points on Sunday.
Better weather is expected for the race, so it will be more difficult to make up positions.
Fan favorite and local hero Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) starts his home race in fifth place.
In the run-up to the race, racist statements by ex-world champion Nelson Piquet against Hamilton caused a stir.
Defending champion Verstappen is leading the championship with a 46-point lead before the tenth race of the season. The 24-year-old has won six of the nine races so far.
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