Lewis Hamilton has admitted he's 'in shock' after the Ferrari star secured pole for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint on Friday morning.
The 40-year-old went into Sprint Qualifying hoping to prove his credentials, having toiled at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend.
Yet Hamilton was impressive on Friday, with the Briton finishing 0.018s ahead of Red Bull driver and defending champion Max Verstappen.
The Stevenage-born racer was jubilant on the team radio after learning he'd secured pole for the Sprint in the Far East this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he's 'in shock' after the Ferrari star secured pole for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint on Friday morning
GETTY
And Hamilton, speaking after his achievement, admitted he was 'in shock' after such an electrifying display.
"Firstly I want to say a big thank you to this amazing crowd we have today. I didn't expect that result but I'm so happy and so proud," he said.
"The last race was a disaster for us and we knew there was more performance in the car but wasn't able to extract it.
"To come here to a track I love, Shanghai a beautiful place, the weather has been amazing and the car came alive from lap one.
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"We made some great changes, the team did a fantastic job in the break to get the car ready.
"I'm a bit in shock. I can't believe we get a pole for the Sprint! It puts us in good stead for the race."
On what made the difference, he added: "I have no idea, I would have to go back and take a look.
"My first sector was really strong, I think that's where I made most of my improvement on that lap. Just little increments through the whole place.
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Lewis Hamilton finished ahead of Max Verstappen as he secured pole for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint on Friday
REUTERS
"There's still time to find which I will make sure I apply to the next qualifying session we go out in.
"It's amazing to see the number 1 as you stop and to be in the red car is incredible."
Last Sunday, Hamilton was written off by many.
The Ferrari star could only finish 10th in Australia, two places below new team-mate Charles Leclerc.
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Just five days later, however, and there's new renewed hopes that the veteran can roll back the years and challenge Verstappen for the F1 title.
Hamilton, understandably, is hoping he's turned a corner and that his team can hold onto first place.
"I didn't do a race run in Bahrain testing, we did the race last weekend in the wet but tomorrow will be my first real long-ish race run, then Sunday my first proper race run in the dry with this car," he said.
"I'm hoping we can hold onto it but I think the McLarens are very fast, as is Max but we are in a good position, we will stay positive and keep our heads high, and keep pushing forwards."
Lewis Hamilton secured pole for the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint just days after toiling at the Australian Grand Prix
REUTERSHe added: "I'm just a bit gobsmacked, taken back by it. I didn't know when we would get to this position.
"After last weekend, it was a difficult start to the week. We came here with aggression and wanting to go into the weekend and get the car into a great place.
"I started out straight away with a better feeling in the car. I can't believe we are at the front, ahead of a McLaren which has been so fast throughout winter testing, Australia and even today.
"I'm really grateful to be up there with these great drivers and be so close to all these other teams."
