Eifel GP Qualifying: Valtteri Bottas Edges Out Lewis Hamilton To Claim Pole

                                        

Lewis Hamilton will be starting behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas at the Eifel Grand Prix final on Sunday in the build-up to the Briton's quest to equal the all-time record set for most race wins by Michael Schumacher. It is going to be the first Formula 1 race here since 2013.

Hamilton had the pole position snatched from him as his Finn teammate raced passed him to finish quickest in 1.25.269 second to claim his third position of the season. Two weekends ago, the defending champion missed out on reaching the record milestone of 91 race wins in Sochi at the Russian Grand Prix after being served a 10-second penalty by the F1 stewards. 

The Mercedes duo witnessed a fierce contest from Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who had his closest chase at his rivals but later dropped to the third place. The Dutch driver who is a strong contender for a podium position this season also finished second behind Bottas at the last race in Sochi. 

"I have my work cut out tomorrow," said Hamilton on race battles he has been facing from Bottas and Verstappen on his chase to equal Schumacher's record. "If and when it happens it will be great but right now Valtteri and Max are making it pretty hard for me."

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc showed an impressive performance at the qualifying having finished fourth behind Verstappen, while his teammate Sebastian Vettel finished in the eleventh position - the German driver will leave the racing team to join Aston Martin at the end of the season. 

"We are getting closer towards Mercedes, which is positive," said Verstappen. "A little bit disappointed, I was expecting a little more but I can still be happy."