Lewis Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 68 Formula 1 pole positions at the Belgian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver did a sensational lap to beat title rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, who was on top form himself, by 0.242 seconds.
Hamilton was 0.541secs ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who was third ahead of Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari.
Max Verstappen headed team-mate Daniel Ricciardo to an all-Red Bull third row.
The key to Hamilton’s pole was arguably a stupendous effort through the middle sector of the lap at the demanding Spa-Francorchamps track in the Ardennes mountains.
The Ferrari had been quicker than the Mercedes through sector two throughout the weekend but Hamilton pulled something out of the bag on his final run to set the pace there by 0.2secs.
Afterwards, F1 sporting boss Ross Brawn delivered a message from Schumacher’s family. Brawn said: “His wife Corinna said that Michael always believed records were there to be broken, and they want to offer their congratulations.”
Schumacher has not been seen in public since the skiing accident in 2013 that left him with severe head injuries and in a coma for some months. His family have consistently said his recovery will be long and hard and have given no other news of his condition.