Canadian GP: Hamilton takes 65th pole position, equals Senna's record

Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton reeled off a stunning lap to clinch pole position for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve here last evening.

The Mercedes driver, who posted his fastest lap of one minute and 11.459 seconds, was 0.330 seconds quicker than four-time world champion and driver's championship leader Sebastian Vettel, who leads Hamilton by 25 points after six races.

It was Hamilton's third pole of the year, and sixth in Canada -- equalling the record of German Michael Schumacher - and the 65th pole position of his career, drawing level with Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna.

Hamilton was also given Senna's yellow race helmet which he worn when he raced for the Lotus-Honda team during the 1987 season.

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas of Finland qualified at third position ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, Sport24 reported.

Meanwhile, Dutch teenager Max Verstappen was the fifth fastest followed by his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, Felipe Massa of Williams, Force India's Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon, and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg.