Lewis Hamilton described wet conditions during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix as a “blessing”, as he claimed pole position.
Hamilton and Mercedes had been off the pace through the dry practice sessions on Friday and Saturday, with the Briton spinning en route to a low-key fourth position.
But a storm struck the circuit in the build-up to qualifying and intensified as Q2 began, ensuring Q3 was carried out in full wet conditions.
Hamilton moved ahead early in Q3 and responded to a threat from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas to seal top spot for the sixth time at the Hungaroring.
Hungarian Grand Prix: Qualifying result | Saturday Gallery
“It was such a tricky session,” said Hamilton. “We could see we started out with a large part of the track was dry, making the right calls, getting the timing spot on is everything in these conditions.
“Maybe you’re a minute early or late and it’s raining more, it’s very, very difficult out there.
“To get a 1-2, particularly when we knew that we were not going to be getting pole in the dry, the Ferraris too fast in the dry, [we were looking to] maybe lock out the second row.
“So for the heavens to open to be in these positions is such a blessing for us.
“It’s quite a shock, was not expecting to be here, so very happy.”
Hamilton is nonetheless wary that Mercedes faces a challenge should hot and dry conditions return for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“For a track that’s usually been so good for me it’s not been the strongest for me the last couple of years,” he said.
“Even this weekend if it was dry Valtteri was quicker than me all weekend, I was struggling with set-up and feel of the tyres, the long run was so-so, Ferrari was quicker.
“But positioning is key here, it’s the third hardest track on the calendar to overtake, so I think this is quite a blessing.
“It should mean it’s a close race, getting through the stint is going to be key, [given] the temperature limits on tyres we’ve been facing.
“It’s going to be close. Just got to get our heads down and try and pull away.”
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