
The 27-year-old fired in the 20th pole of his career to deny teammate Jenson Button by just one and half tenths in a thrilling three-part qualifying session
McLaren on top: Romain, Hamilton and Button celebrate
Lewis Hamilton’s title hopes burst into life as he qualified on pole for the opening race of the season with a storming lap at Albert Park.
The 27-year-old fired in the 20th pole of his career to deny teammate Jenson Button by just one and half tenths in a thrilling three-part qualifying session.
McLaren celebrated a front row 1-2 lock-out for the first time since the European Grand Prix in 2009. And a new first for the pairing of British world champions.
More than anything, after three years of lacklustre starts, McLaren have finally appeared to have delivered a car capable of challenging for the title from the world ‘go’.
And it comes after months of speculation that their smooth nose design would be uncompetitive.
Rivals said the lack of a ridged platypus nose would cost them aerodynamically. But the McLaren, thus far, is not only the best looking car but the fastest too.
And more than that, the intense nature of the fight meant that its game on for the British duo.