Vettel stormed to pole with an exceptional lap, while Hamilton could manage only third, with Max Verstappen putting in a remarkable lap for Red Bull to claim second place. For the large part of the season it has been a nip and tuck battle between Hamilton and Vettel, with the German leading until the 13th round at Monza. His lap for pole was reminder of just how tight the title fight might have been without that three-race swing in Hamilton’s favour. Hamilton accepted he had simply been unable to match the pace of his competitors but remained optimistic for the race. His time of 1.16.488 smashed the lap record of 1.18.704 Hamilton had set in qualifying last year.

Source: The Guardian October 28, 2017 19:30 UTC