Verstappen wins first sprint race to claim British Grand Prix pole
Max Verstappen
World championship leader MaxVerstappenwon Formula One's inauguralsprintraceon Saturday to takepoleposition for theBritishGrandPrix.
The Red Bull driver finished the 100km dash ahead of defending world champion Lewis Hamilton with Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes in third place.
Verstappenwent into the weekend with a 32-point lead over seven-time champion Hamilton who is hoping to capture an eighthBritishGrandPrixtriumph on Sunday.
"We were pushing each other hard as the tyres were blistering a lot," saidVerstappenwho collected three points for his win.
Hamilton took two and Bottas one.
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"I am happy to have scored the three points and it is funny to say I have scored thepoleposition too, but we'll take it," added the Dutchman.
Hamilton started thesprintat the front of the grid having topped qualifying on Friday.
However, he admitted he will face a battle to secure a 99th career win in front of around 90,000 fans on Sunday.
"Firstof all, let me say thank you to the fans, their energy is amazing," he said.
"I gave it everything today, I'm just sorry I couldn't win it for them. Tomorrow we will fight again, but Red Bull are just so strong."
Saturday'ssprintqualifyingracewas thefirstof three planned for this year.
Another will follow at the ItalianGrandPrixin September with the third venue still to be confirmed.