74 replies to this topic

[Currahee]

Not sure if there's a thread but surely it deserves something. I'm not a Hamilton fan but 100th career pole is something else. I'd tip my hat if I wore one.

[sennamaster]

Incredible feat

[Disgrace]

But has he been to Croydon?

[Coral]

Incredible to think that Lewis has 100 poles. It's amazing...especially as I have never had Lewis down as a qualifying specialist.

 

For me, Singapore 2018 was his greatest ever pole lap. That was so special...especially as Ferrari were supposed to be dominant that weekend.

 

We are witnessing greatness. Lewis is a true living legend!

[jcbc3]

Looking at the list of pole positions, Hamilton is a one pole position away from being a whole Alain Prost career ahead of no. 2 on the list. 

[MortenF1]

It’s a crazy statistic! I’m in awe over what he’s doing.
So impressed.

[noikeee]

The bizarre thing is I think he's an even better racing driver than a qualifier. I rate his Sunday speed and Sunday dicing with other cars ability, higher than his Saturday speed, even if he's still really good at making sure he gets a good lap in.

So well done Lewis I guess.

Edited by noikeee, 08 May 2021 - 18:48.

[FormulaWin]

It's especially amazing to see such consistent brilliance when you are dealing with 100ths of a second each time out.

 

Hope he caps it off with a flag to flag run tomorrow.

 

GOAT.

[ConsiderAndGo]

Incredible.

[jonpollak]

Sadly, I feel many have become kind of numb to his greatness.
Jp

[pRy]

Sadly, I feel many have become kind of numb to his greatness.
Jp

 

I think/hope this season will remind us.

[smitten]

I never thought I'd see it, and it's hard to see how it can happen again.  And it's scary that he could go on for a couple more years if he wanted; he still has the pace.

[Currahee]

100 poles though. Jackie Stewart only had 99 races. I do wonder how history will view him?

As an afterthought I genuinely could've kissed him at Brands Hatch when he drove the McLaren before the DTM race in 09 or 10. He jumped out a car right in front of me while everyone waiting for him were about 30m away. He was less than a foot away from me. I bet he regrets the moment we didn't embrace.

Edited by Currahee, 08 May 2021 - 19:02.

[OvDrone]

A consummate inspiration this man is and all of his feats.

 

As many mentioned in Qualy thread, may we all share some of his best ever poles - and I start off with one if not his best ever:

 

 

Here's one of my old favorite drivers of youth giving his take on my current favorite:

 

 

Still We Rise

[EndlessMotion]

I think he's always going to have his detractors that like to harp on about having the best car whilst willfully ignoring the many, many examples of him making the difference, along with the sheer consistency of the man. He had a bit of a wobble in 2011 but even then was the only driver on the grid that could stop Red Bull from taking every single pole position of the season. You forget how old he is sometimes such is the level that he operates at. I'm so glad that Red Bull and Max have made the jump to the front this year to really put some perspective back on Hamilton's talent and abilities, he's an absolute monster of a driver. Hopefully he and Max can battle it out this closely until Hamilton calls it a day.

 

Having that dominant run with Mercedes is of course a huge factor in Lewis pushing the records up to almost comical heights but there's not another driver on the grid that could have delivered the same number of poles, wins and points as Lewis if they had his seat at Merc from 2013 onwards, that I'm fairly certain of. The scary thing about him is he just continues to get better and better on Sunday too! Just five more wins until he hits 100 again......it's staggering.

Edited by EndlessMotion, 08 May 2021 - 19:50.

[Currahee]

I think he's always going to have his detractors that like to harp on about having the best car whilst willfully ignoring the many, many examples of him making the difference, along with the sheer consistency of the man. He had a bit of a wobble in 2011 but even then was the only driver on the grid that could stop Red Bull from taking every single pole position of the season. You forget how old he is sometimes such is the level that he operates at. I'm so glad that Red Bull and Max have made the jump to the front this year to really put some perspective back on Hamilton's talent and abilities, he's an absolute monster of a driver. Hopefully he and Max can battle it out this closely until Hamilton calls it a day.

Having that dominant run with Mercedes is of course a huge factor in Lewis pushing the records up to almost comical heights but there's not another driver on the grid that could have delivered the same number of poles, wins and points as Lewis if they had his seat at Merc from 2013 onwards, that I'm fairly certain of. The scary thing about him is he's just continues to get better and better on Sunday too! Just five more wins until he hits 100 again......it's staggering.

The thing that annoys me about being in the "best car" is you need to be good to get in it. All through time the best drivers seem to get in the best cars. There is a reason.

[SCUDmissile]

Has he now got more Poles than every team apart from Ferrari and Mercedes?

This guy....

[Radoye]

...Jackie Stewart only had 99 races...

 

Sir Jackie qualified 100 times for a World Championship race though, the one race he decided not to start (we all know why) he qualified in 6th.

Then there are another 23 non-championship F1 races (8 more poles) that he took part in, and two full seasons of Tasman Series (another 15 races, 6 poles) which was pretty much F1 in all but name (yes, i am aware of the differences in engine specs between Tasman and F1 proper).

So that's 138 entries, 31 poles for Sir Jackie with a 22.4% rate in total.

[BRG]

But has he been to Croydon?

His big challenge, I believe.  He is working up to it with these minor triumphs...

 

He still has a little way to go to beat Senna's pole hit rate of 40.37% but he has more poles than all of the three other WDCs currently on the grid put together;  Alonso, Kimi and Vettel have 97 poles between them. 

 

Take a bow, big fellah!

[masa90]

Absolutely incredible achievement. Crazy amount compared to all others.

[Calum]

Just by chance ended up at the record breaking 2017 Monza pole. It feels so long ago!

(Did not feel lucky at the time - a cold and long delay with the rain!)

 

 

 

 

 

My fave Hamilton pole laps highlights I often watch back on Youtube:

 

 

Korea 2011

 

Styria 2020 (wet)

 

Monza 2017 (wet)

 

Singapore 2018

[sennamaster]

Just by chance ended up at the record breaking 2017 Monza pole. It feels so long ago!
(Did not feel lucky at the time - a cold and long delay with the rain!)
 
 
 
 
 
My fave Hamilton pole laps highlights I often watch back on Youtube:
 
 
Korea 2011
 
Styria 2020 (wet)
 
Monza 2017 (wet)
 
Singapore 2018

The Korea 2011 pole I have been searching for and never found. Do you have a link ?

[ebc]

During Hamilton's run to 100 Poles, his teammates have gathered 50 Poles between them, so the cars he has driven have achieved 150 Poles, as good as Lewis is, no other driver has had such fast cars.

 

I was surprised looking back how many Nico got during their 4 years together, 29 to Hamilton's 35, and Lewis has taken another 39 since then, Bottas has gotten quite a few as well at 17, but it would be interesting to see how many Nico would have if he had stayed on, I think he would be around Senna or Schumacher numbers by now and as good as Nico is, I don't think he gets 29 Poles alongside a Senna or prime Schumacher.

 

Schumacher's teammates got 14 Poles to Michael 68 and Senna's teammates have achieved 9 Poles to Ayrtons 65.

 

So as good a qualifier as Lewis is and has been, I don't think he is as quick as Schumacher or Senna over one lap but his race pace is exceptional and while I think he is stronger over a race distance than Senna, I don't think he is as strong as Schumacher over a Grand Prix.  

 

But that is my opinion, Lewis has the records and you can't take those away from him.

Edited by ebc, 08 May 2021 - 19:57.

[OO7]

The Korea 2011 pole I have been searching for and never found. Do you have a link ?

https://www.dailymot...m/video/x5cvwxr

Payment in carrot cake is also acceptable.

[Currahee]

During Hamilton's run to 100 Poles, his teammates have gathered 50 Poles between them, so the cars he has driven have achieved 150 Poles, as good as Lewis is, no other driver has had such fast cars.

I was surprised looking back how many Nico got during their 4 years together, 29 to Hamilton's 35, and Lewis has taken another 39 since then, Bottas has gotten quite a few as well at 17, but it would be interesting to see how many Nico would have if he had stayed on, I think he would be around Senna or Schumacher numbers by now and as good as Nico is, I don't think he gets 29 Poles alongside a Senna or prime Schumacher.

Schumacher's teammates got 14 Poles to Michael 68 and Senna's teammates have achieved 9 Poles to Ayrtons 65.

So as good a qualifier as Lewis is and has been, I don't think he is as quick as Schumacher or Senna over one lap but his race pace is exceptional and while I think he is stronger over a race distance than Senna, I don't think he is as strong as Schumacher over a Grand Prix.

But that is my opinion, Lewis has the records and you can't take those away from him.

Whats Jim Clarks? I genuinely don't know.

[FrontWing]

During Hamilton's run to 100 Poles, his teammates have gathered 50 Poles between them, so the cars he has driven have achieved 150 Poles, as good as Lewis is, no other driver has had such fast cars.

I was surprised looking back how many Nico got during their 4 years together, 29 to Hamilton's 35, and Lewis has taken another 39 since then, Bottas has gotten quite a few as well at 17, but it would be interesting to see how many Nico would have if he had stayed on, I think he would be around Senna or Schumacher numbers by now and as good as Nico is, I don't think he gets 29 Poles alongside a Senna or prime Schumacher.

Schumacher's teammates got 14 Poles to Michael 68 and Senna's teammates have achieved 9 Poles to Ayrtons 65.

So as good a qualifier as Lewis is and has been, I don't think he is as quick as Schumacher or Senna over one lap but his race pace is exceptional and while I think he is stronger over a race distance than Senna, I don't think he is as strong as Schumacher over a Grand Prix.

But that is my opinion, Lewis has the records and you can't take those away from him.

A good handful of Nico's poles were also uncontested as Lewis had some issues in qualifying, (spark plug failure, car catching fire, yellow flags, engine penalties etc) that Nico never got in qualifying. Could have easily ended up 40-20. We'll never know. But Nico was very good over a lap, but came up short on race day, especially 2014.

Edited by FrontWing, 08 May 2021 - 20:04.

[SophieB]

@F1

“I’ve never really been a driver that sticks it on pole”

@LewisHamilton speaking after claiming his first pole position back in 2007 

#F1

https://twitter.com/...3933592583?s=21

[TomNokoe]

https://www.dailymot...m/video/x5cvwxr

Payment in carrot cake is also acceptable.

I love this BBC VT from Korea 2011


 

[Collombin]

Sir Jackie qualified 100 times for a World Championship race though, the one race he decided not to start (we all know why)

Jenson Button didn't.

#awkward

[ebc]

Whats Jim Clarks? I genuinely don't know.

 

 

33 Poles for Jim and 4 for his teammates.  Jim got 6 in 67 and 1 pole in 68 compared with 3 for Graham Hill in that period.  John Surtees got pole at Portugal in 1960 and Jim scored his first podium the next day.

[ebc]

A good handful of Nico's poles were also uncontested as Lewis had some issues in qualifying, (spark plug failure, car catching fire, yellow flags, engine penalties etc) that Nico never got in qualifying. Could have easily ended up 40-20. We'll never know. But Nico was very good over a lap, but came up short on race day, especially 2014.

 

You could be right about that, and Nico had to outqualify Lewis otherwise he was toast.

[MortenF1]

During Hamilton's run to 100 Poles, his teammates have gathered 50 Poles between them, so the cars he has driven have achieved 150 Poles, as good as Lewis is, no other driver has had such fast cars.

I was surprised looking back how many Nico got during their 4 years together, 29 to Hamilton's 35, and Lewis has taken another 39 since then, Bottas has gotten quite a few as well at 17, but it would be interesting to see how many Nico would have if he had stayed on, I think he would be around Senna or Schumacher numbers by now and as good as Nico is, I don't think he gets 29 Poles alongside a Senna or prime Schumacher.

Schumacher's teammates got 14 Poles to Michael 68 and Senna's teammates have achieved 9 Poles to Ayrtons 65.

So as good a qualifier as Lewis is and has been, I don't think he is as quick as Schumacher or Senna over one lap but his race pace is exceptional and while I think he is stronger over a race distance than Senna, I don't think he is as strong as Schumacher over a Grand Prix.

But that is my opinion, Lewis has the records and you can't take those away from him.

The whole clue is in who were these respective teammates.
Herbert, Irvine, Barrichello.... veeeery good drivers but I’m sure you get the point.

Senna had amongst others Berger and Prost, which were formidable.

Edited by MortenF1, 09 May 2021 - 01:05.

[Collombin]

John Surtees got pole at Portugal in 1960 and Jim scored his first podium the next day.

It's a small sample size, and they were both rookies, but Surtees was the one teammate of Clark's who seemed to have his measure (on pace anyway - John made more errors though).

Edited by Collombin, 08 May 2021 - 20:45.

[Rodaknee]

Pole position wasn't always important when there were 3 & 4 cars on the front row - lined up across the track. the starter waved a flag and unless it was blatant, a jump start wasn't always picked up by the stewards

 

https://i.pinimg.com...00d64edafd2.jpg

[Fastcake]

That Lewis Hamilton just might be a pretty handy driver.

 

When Lewis hits 100 wins later this year, which we are all expecting him to do bar something really bizarre, I'm expecting a bigger celebration! It would be nice if there were fans back for it by then.

[alframsey]

Fast fast fast!

[chhatra]

https://www.dailymot...m/video/x5cvwxr
Payment in carrot cake is also acceptable.

Everytime I watch a clip from the V8/V10 days it just makes me sad. Todays cars maybe technically better in so many ways and fast but just not exciting to watch compared to 10 years ago.

[OO7]

Everytime I watch a clip from the V8/V10 days it just makes me sad. Todays cars maybe technically better in so many ways and fast but just not exciting to watch compared to 10 years ago.

Lewis certainly made the car dance through that lap, making it look even more special.  The onboard off throttle growl from the exhaust was something else, even though I didn't appreciate it so much at the time.

[CSF]

I cannot believe I have watched a driver get 100 poles. Incredible driver, incredible man. 

 

(pls max win like alonso did in 06 xoxoxox  )

[RPM40]

It truly is an astonishing feat. 

 

This year is driving home just how good of a qualifier he is, when the cars have been relatively even. He could add quite a few to that number too, as he seems at the peak of his powers and could drive another 3-4 seasons like this. 

[Dolph]

A consummate inspiration this man is and all of his feats.

 

As many mentioned in Qualy thread, may we all share some of his best ever poles - and I start off with one if not his best ever:

 

 

Here's one of my old favorite drivers of youth giving his take on my current favorite:

 

 

Still We Rise

 

 

For a moment there I was looking at the pole lap and: "...Hang on, best ever qualy lap on HARDS? ... no-no, those are Hypersofts" 

 

That's a brilliant lap. Almost no corrections. Everything is just perfect. It helps that there are a lot of 90 degree corners though.

 

 

I remember a time in 2010-2012 thinking, come on, Lewis is capable of so much more, he needs a break in a car that matches his abilities. Now I'm thinking, OK, ENOUGH! Let someone else have a go in the best car. 

 

Too bad Nico didn't stick around to give him a hard time in qualy, though.

 

Still, gotta give it to him, as he keeps knocking it out of the park week in and week out. Congrats to Hamilton on this incredible milestone.     

 

Please, let's have a comparison of Lewis next to another driver. We see Max cripling other drivers career almost every year, let's see more contenders be given a shot at Lewis in the same car, please.

Edited by Dolph, 08 May 2021 - 22:48.

[Dolph]

Pole position wasn't always important when there were 3 & 4 cars on the front row - lined up across the track. the starter waved a flag and unless it was blatant, a jump start wasn't always picked up by the stewards

 

https://i.pinimg.com...00d64edafd2.jpg

 

Brilliant picture. What race is that? 

[Collombin]

1965 British GP possibly - but I have had a drink.

[Gary Davies]

It is! And I was there. A brilliant Clark win.

[PlayboyRacer]

Even though Lewis has well and truly turned into a beast of a race driver, it's his special qualifying speed that's always caught my attention. Spectacular. Never was that more evident than with his string of epic poles with the 2010-2012 McLarens, during the Red Bull domination.

For myself he's up there with Ayrton Senna as a qualifying master. And he's racked up these numbers against a string of formidable World Champion teammates. Hats off to him.

Edited by PlayboyRacer, 08 May 2021 - 23:22.

[RPM40]

 

Some amazing qualifying laps in there. I'm not sure if over the years Hamilton has become more precise, but the laps in his McLaren days somehow looked more 'on the limit' with him hustling the cars and making a lot more small corrections. He may have just matured into a more complete driver, or it could be the longer cars with far more weight and downforce.

[ClubmanGT]

Incredible achievement. You can caveat the championships all you like given the unprecedented levels of regulatory stability and the Rosberg/Russell carveouts, but the pole positions have been across the years, powertrains, engines, teams and cars. It really is something special. 

[beachdrifter]

But has he been to Croydon?

 

He's always said: Once I pass 150 poles, I'll go there right away. 

[beachdrifter]

Bottas has gotten quite a few as well at 17, but it would be interesting to see how many Nico would have if he had stayed on

 

Zero. He had nothing left in the tank. That's the thing: Showing that excellence over such a long period of time is unprecedented.

[goldenboy]

Zero. He had nothing left in the tank. That's the thing: Showing that excellence over such a long period of time is unprecedented.

Very silly comment.

Anyway, congrats to Lewis, shockingly unbelievable if a little bit boring. That's not his fault though. I rate Bottas higher than Barrichello.