Lewis Hamilton says he had “nothing left” to deliver on-track as he took his first pole position in Formula 1 since the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Hamilton pipped Max Verstappen to pole position at the Hungaroring, besting his former title rival by 0.003s.
It marks Mercedes’ first pole position of the 2023 season, and the team’s first since last year’s event in Hungary, where George Russell secured his maiden pole.
Mercedes has struggled for form since the introduction of new technical regulations last year – leaving Hamilton to feel as though his 104th F1 pole was his first ever.
“It’s been a crazy year and a half, I’ve lost my voice from shouting so much,” Hamilton said.
“It’s amazing, that feeling, we’ve really worked so hard, pushing so hard over this time to get a pole it feels like the first time.
“I didn’t expect us to be fighting for pole, I gave it absolutely everything, there was nothing left in it.
“It’s been massively challenging for all of us, ups and downs, big rollercoaster ride, we’ve not lost faith, we’ve united together, steering the car in the direction.
“We were losing so much time in [Turns] 4 and 11 compared to the others so I just sent it and hoped I stayed on track.
“It’s been tough, it will be tough, but hopefully it shows we’re on the right track and can do it if we can just keep pushing.”
Hamilton also became the first driver to take nine pole positions at a single venue, setting a new record at the Hungaroring with his run to the top of the timesheet.
However, his team-mate George Russell endured a more difficult session.
Russell became mixed up in traffic as he prepared to start his final lap in Q1, and ended up having to settle for 18th.
