Triple world champion Lewis Hamilton will start off the pole in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after winning qualifying on Saturday.
Photo from video
Hamilton in a Mercedes clocked a record lap of one minute 22.188 seconds to take his 62nd career pole and sixth in Australia into Sunday's race in Melbourne.
Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was second with Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas third.
Hamilton has been on pole in Melbourne in each of the last four seasons, and in five out the last six Australian GPs.
"It's been a fantastic weekend so far. I'm incredibly proud of my team," Hamilton said.
"Valtteri did a great job and it's great for us as Mercedes. It's going to be a tight race. Tomorrow is about putting all the work together and making sure I come back stronger than ever," said Hamilton.
He was pushed in the final Q3 stage first by Bottas and then by Vettel before clinching the fastest lap.
Hamilton's pole time was 1.7 seconds quicker than his qualifying time last year.
Australia's big hope Daniel Ricciardo crashed his Red Bull at turn 14 looking to post a good time in Q3 and will start 10th off the grid.
Ricciardo damaged the rear of his RB13 car and was heard over the team radio as saying: "I'm alright... sorry guys."
The final session of qualifying was suspended while Ricciardo's car was removed from the gravel alongside the track.
