VALENCIA, Spain, CMC – Championship leader Lewis Hamilton has never won the European Grand Prix but will look to change all this when he starts from second in the grid on Valencia’s street circuit here today.
The Brit, whose paternal grandparents hail from the Caribbean island of Grenada, clocked one minute, 38.410 seconds to snatch a share of front row while Red Bull’s Vettel stormed to pole in 1:38.086.
Williams’s Pastor Maldonado was third in 1:38.475 and will share second the second row with Lotus’ Romain Grosjean.
Hamilton, who finished fourth last year and second in the three preceding years, said he was just hopeful of picking up as many points as he could.
“I’m extremely happy to be starting on the front row. We were struggling this weekend. As in real life you sometimes have these troubles, and then you should keep your head down and work towards it,” Hamilton said.
“I’ll just be looking to score as many points as I can. If I can finish where I’ve qualified – second – that would consolidate my world title bid. Anything more than that – a win in other words – would, of course, be a bonus.”
Hamilton leads the drivers’ standings after his first win of the season a fortnight ago in Montreal but is only two points clear of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso on 86 points.
Vettel is only a point back in third with teammate Mark Webber fourth on 79 points in what has been a competitive season.
