Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton says he had to dig “very deep” in order to see off the challenge from team-mate Valtteri Bottas and take pole position at Portimao.
The six-time World Champion secured his 97th career pole on Saturday, beating Bottas by one-tenth of a second.
Hamilton failed to lead a single session ahead of Q3, with Bottas appearing to have the advantage right until the final run.
Bottas admits he regrets not running for two-timed laps on the Medium tyre at the end of Q3 – a decision that Hamilton says gave him the opportunity to snatch pole.
“It’s always a fight but I would say this track combined with the smoothness, the difficulty we have with these tyres, and the battle that I’m having with Valtteri, is making it harder and harder for me each weekend,” Hamilton said.
“He’s been quickest all through practice and even into some of this session. So I didn’t know whether or not I’d get a lap that would be able to compete with his.
“I was always off by a tenth, half a tenth, whatever it is, but the decision we took at the end I think really was what created the opportunity.”
Despite getting the better of Bottas, Hamilton commended his effort, stating it was “very tough” to oust the Finnish driver.
“We were both given the opportunity to choose between the Soft and the Medium tyre which is kind of counterintuitive because in terms of going to the Medium we usually just stay on the Soft throughout Q3,” Hamilton said.
“But the idea of having an extra lap, an extra chance, an extra stab at getting pole looked good for me so I chose that extra lap and I think Valtteri chose the one.
“But he still did a great job, it was very, very tough, had to dig deep, very deep, luckily got the last sector just about right but still so close.”
