© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Despite being on top all throughout the Austrian Grand Prix free practice session, Lewis Hamilton missed out on pole by just 0.012s.
The pole went to Valtteri Bottas, but Lewis was happy for the team and his team-mate.
“I think we have proven every year that we are the best team,” said Hamilton after qualifying.
“We work very well together. We dare to speak out to each other when we disagree with something. We’re really one team, that’s really nice to work with.
“Congratulations to Valtteri. This is of course a very good start to the season and I’m glad we’re finally here to race.”
In the final few seconds of qualifying Bottas ran off the track which brought a short yellow flag, but Hamilton doesn’t think this ruined his last run.
“It wasn’t confusing, I came out of turn four and there was a lot of dust in the air. I could not see where Valtteri was, but I could see that he was almost back on the track.
“Luckily it didn’t ruin the lap and we both kept our position,” concluded the six-time champion.
