Vettel 'not so happy' with final Canada Q3 run after missing pole

Hamilton beat that mark with a 1:12.692 with just under eight minutes remaining in the session, and Bottas beat it fractionally later at 1:12.685.

Having already set the fastest-ever lap around Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the Briton found over 0.3s on his final Q3 effort with a 1:11.459 to romp to his third pole of 2017, beating Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel by 0.3s and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas by a massive margin of 0.7s. It was a sexy lap. It was a great lap. "I couldn't put a proper lap together". "As a kid, I would come home and I would go, 'If I'm really lucky and can get to Formula One, I want to emulate Ayrton'". I had completely forgotten that.

On a track where he took his first Grand Prix victory with McLaren 10 years ago in 2007, Hamilton has now equalled the late Ayrton Senna for second all-time with 65 pole positions, later receiving a helmet from the Senna family.

It was the fastest qualifying lap ever at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the pace that won him last year's pole and even one second better than Vettel ran in his Ferrari during Saturday morning's practice.

Max Verstappen split the Mercedes drivers in fourth, ending the session just 0.393s off the lead as Red Bull made up for time lost with stoppages for both cars in FP2 on Friday.

An emotional Hamilton was given a race-worn Senna helmet, provided by the Brazilian's family, which he held aloft in front of the thousands of fans at turn two.

"I'm shaken, I'm speechless", he said, standing in front of the crowded stands with the gift.

While the reduction in time gap worked well in 2016, some drivers have reported that it has become more problematic this season because of the difficulties inherent in following other cars with the current aero package. He was the one who inspired me to be where I am today. "To receive this and match him is a great honour".

Senna, also a triple champion, died in a crash at Italy's Imola circuit in 1994.

Pascal Wehrlein caught the grass on the way into Turn One and hit the barrier backside first right at the end of the session.

"Wow, I am shaking", said Hamilton.

"Nevertheless I feel the vehicle is very good, I was really happy this morning, I was happy this afternoon and it should be very good in the race so I'm looking forward to tomorrow".

The championship leader conceded Hamilton had simply been "the better man" in qualifying.

The Spaniard's Belgian team mate Stoffel Vandoorne had an even more frustrating day and will start 16th in the 20 auto field.