Senna-equaling pole lap near perfect - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says the lap that equaled Ayrton Senna's tally of 65 pole positions was "as close as I could get" to perfect.

Related Stories

Only Michael Schumacher – with 68 – has scored more poles than Hamilton and Senna after the Mercedes driver produced a stunning lap at the Canadian Grand Prix on Saturday. Securing pole by over 0.3s from Sebastian Vettel and 0.7s from teammate Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton was asked if he ranks pole positions above race wins as Senna did, to which he replied: "I can understand that because obviously it makes the Sunday often easier.

"Even though it's still difficult it gives you the best possible opportunity and the optimum position to start the race. So, I can agree with that, and obviously I equaled Ayrton in race wins awhile ago so this had been focus.

"Literally as a kid, I'd come home and, like, one day if I'm really lucky and I can get to Formula 1, I'd want to emulate Ayrton. The fact I've now reached him in that area ... I just can't believe it. Honestly, I can't believe it. I remember coming home from school and putting on the videotape of Ayrton, so it's really strange to think that now I'm here and level in poles.

"And being that it is the most difficult season, I would say, in my career, racing against these two great drivers [Vettel and Bottas], and Kimi, and having us so close, really, then pushes us all to the limit and relies on us all being perfect. And, of course, we can't always be perfect. Today I got as close as I could get."

And Hamilton admits the fact that his Montreal pole proved to be the one that took him level with Senna added to the satisfaction of his lap on Saturday.

"If I'm really honest it's really hard to remember every single pole. If I'm really honest ... they've all been special and unique in their own way. I think being that it's hard to remember them, it also feels like it's the first time.

"Honestly, coming across that line, almost holding your breath, hoping, fingers crossed, waiting, knowing that Sebastian was still on a lap, Valtteri was still on a lap, not sure. It was a good lap but you don't want to get your hopes too much up because you'll be disappointed if they do a better lap – but in the intensity of the moment, I don't really recall having as intense a moment, in terms of this intense battle that we're having I would like to think that it is one of the best, yeah.

"And being that it is equalling Ayrton as well, makes it a little bit more special."