Lewis Hamilton takes pole for F1 British GP for 5th time

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leaves the team motorhome before the third free practice session for the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 15, 2017. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, July 16. (Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN / AP)

SILVERSTONE, England — Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the fifth time at the British Grand Prix on Saturday, ahead of Ferrari rivals Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel in rainy conditions.

Hamilton sped around Silverstone in 1 minute, 26.6 seconds in front of his home fans.

They cheered the three-time Formula One world champion at the end of a week when he faced criticism for being the only driver to snub a promotional event in London.

“I feel amazing, especially with a great crowd like this around the track,” Hamilton said. “These typical English conditions are what we grew up racing in. I’m comfortable in it.”

Relieved too after escaping action for blocking Romain Grosjean during qualifying, with stewards ruling that the Haas car was not impeded.

Hamilton, who is 20 points behind leader Vettel in the drivers’ championship, is now one short of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record 68 poles.

Valtteri Bottas was fourth fastest, but he has a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race after being forced to change the gearbox in his Mercedes.