Hamilton: "Matching Senna's qualifying record would be unreal"

  • Published on 26 May 2017 16:25
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton says that matching Ayrton Senna's feat of 65 career pole positions would be unreal. The Brit will match the Brazilian's record tomorrow afternoon if he can come out on top in qualifying.,

Senna raced in F1 for 10 years, racing with Toleman, Lotus, McLaren and Williams. Senna's last pole came in 1994 at the San Marino Grand Prix, before he was tragically killed the next day. 

Hamilton has idolised Senna since he was racing in karts and says that the chance of tomorrow's record is well in his mind. However he doesn't feel any pressure to claim it.

"I'm one away from matching his qualifying record, which just doesn't seem real," said Hamilton. "I feel very honoured to be up and amongst the greats. I don't really feel like there is any pressure. If it happens this weekend, it happens. If it doesn't, it will happen. I will get another pole at some stage."

Hamilton also said that he loves the challenge of Monaco, a track that he has won at twice: "Of course there's an incredible feeling when you feel like you are as close to the edge, that dreamline edge that you're trying to get close to every year. I've never had that here," he said.

"I've had good laps here that have felt very close, but... you can always find millimetres here and there. That's the great thing about this sport. If we hit the perfect lap, then I don't know, what's next beyond perfect?

"I love that there's a constant chase, a constant challenge. The target's always moving, so you might touch it for just a split second, but then it shifts and moves somewhere else. That's what I love about it."

 

Fergal Walsh

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
-
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
-
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Mercedes
  • Points 3,344
  • Podiums 131
  • Grand Prix 205
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (39)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar