Hot Hammy Is Ace Of Pace

Aug 3 2008 By Donald Richardson

LIGHTNING fast Lewis Hamilton took pole for today's Hungarian Grand Prix then warned his rivals: I'm feeling better than ever.

The unstoppable Brit led McLaren team-mate Heiki Kovalainen to a one-two in qualifying for the first time this season and is hot favourite to make it three wins in a row.

After victories in the British and German races the 23-year-old is on course to be the first Brit to claim a hat-trick of successes since Damon Hill in 1996.

Hamilton has finished first in six of the nine races he's started on pole and six of 10 on a tight Hungaroring track have been won by the fastest qualifier. Felipe Massa, who trails Hamilton by four points, will start his Ferrari from third and faces the prospect of losing more ground.

Hamilton said: "Every time I get in the car I learn something new and I feel more and more comfortable and more at home.

"I can definitely say right now I'm at my best and this is as comfortable as I have been, knowing where the car is and with things going on in my life.

"I feel pretty much on top of things but I have no doubts I have room to improve and I will carry on doing that."

Six weeks ago Hamilton was in the depths of despair after leaving Magny-Cours in France after failing to score a point for the second race in succession. But he refused to panic and said: "I had a couple of dodgy races but we still had great speed, both in Montreal and Magny-Cours.

"So it's no surprise and there have been no miracles. It's just that we worked hard to take steps forward.

"Over the past month we've done a great job in improving the car and I'm proud of the team for that.

"I feel great in the car. There's a good atmosphere and harmony in the team and now we've qualified one-two."

Finn Kovalainen has his sights set on a maiden win although his team-mate would love him simply to stay in front of Massa.

He said: "I will attack as much as I can at the start and we will see how it works out.

"Ideally I can push Lewis and keep Felipe behind me. I will fight with Lewis and try to pass him."

Jenson Button and Scot David Coulthard are 12th and 13th for Honda and Red Bull.