F1: 'I had Rosberg covered,' Hamilton says

Lewis Hamilton claimed the 60th pole position of his F1 career at Interlagos by edging out title rival Nico Rosberg by 0.102s in Q3.

After leading the way throughout Friday practice, Hamilton trailed Rosberg in practice three and was almost defeated in qualifying, too, until Rosberg dropped time in the final sector of his best lap.

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"I felt quite comfortable in qualifying, as I have done all through the weekend," Hamilton said after giving Mercedes a record 19th pole of the year. "Nico has been getting quicker and quicker, but I've generally had him covered.

"It's remarkable what this team has done, to have that many pole positions – it's a true showing of incredible teamwork from everyone.

"This is the best I could have hoped for coming to Brazil. It's only my second pole here – it's always a track I struggle at, so I'm really happy to be up at the front."

Rosberg can clinch the championship with victory in Sunday's GP, and says he will attempt to overtake Hamilton into the first corner, rather than settling for second and extending the title race to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

"I'm going to try and get Lewis into Turn 1," he said. "That's the plan. It won't be easy. The run to Turn 1 is very short, so that doesn't help, but I'll try everything I can."