Lewis Hamilton hailed Mercedes’ call to use slicks at the start of Q3 as the deciding factor in allowing him to reach a landmark number of poles at the Japanese GP.
Already the most successful driver in qualifying history, after breaking Michael Schumacher’s record last year at Monza, the four-time world champion now has 80 poles to his name following a tricky session at Suzuka.
“I never in a million years thought I would get 80, I couldn’t have done this without the team,” he claimed with 50 of those now coming with the German manufacturer.
The key was tyres, however, as the two Silver Arrows used the Supersoft from the start while both Ferrari’s lost a lap by putting on the intermediates.
“The call that we made to go out for Q3 [on slicks] which was probably the most difficult call you saw for all of us,” Hamilton said.
“This team was just spot on with it and gave us the opportunity to grab this pole position.”
With main championship rival Sebastian Vettel starting ninth as a result of the mistake, many believe it is just another example of the German and his Italian team failing under pressure.
“It is so difficult out there to make the right call, but I think that’s another real big difference we as a team have made this year,” the 33-year-old acknowledged.
“Every team has smart people, but ultimately when it comes to being under pressure, making the right decisions, the right calls, that’s why we’re the best team in the world. And rightly so, they deserve that.”
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Another thing that Hamilton is enjoying is the chance to drive his Mercedes around the sweeping curves of Suzuka, something he highlighted after practice on Friday.
“They don’t make tracks like this anymore,” he suggested. “Suzuka has to be one of my favourite circuits, if not the favourite one, it’s very cool.
“I’m just loving driving more than ever; when you get in the car, it’s just the best, it’s so fast and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to do what I do.
“I’ve just been giving thanks all day today because this is what I’ve always wanted to do.”