World Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton edged out title rival Max Verstappen in British Grand Prix qualifying on Friday to take the top spot on the grid for the sport’s first-ever sprint race.

Saturday’s inaugural sprint race, the first of three this season, will be over 100km and will decide the starting positions for Sunday’s main event.

Hamilton clocked 1 minute 6.134 seconds in his Mercedes to beat the current championship leader Red Bull’s Verstappen with Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes finishing up the top 3.

The seven-time world champion had arrived at his home race trailing Verstappen by 32 points in the title race.

Verstappen, who was just 0.075 seconds behind Hamilton in qualifying, has won the last three races.

“Red Bull were very quick in that practice session but we were staying very focused on our job and trying to layer up,” AFP quoted Hamilton as saying. 

Hamilton can celebrate the eighth win on the home circuit this weekend and the 99th of his career.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez rounded out the top five.

“We just need to look at ourselves. The car is handling quite well, but a lot of understeer – so I couldn’t attack any corners but a bit of a weird feeling to have,” explained Verstappen after the race.

“I don’t think it was set-up or front wing related, it’s still quite close so it will be alright. You do qualifying and are flat out and doesn’t mean so much and you don’t get pole – it’s a weird feeling,” Verstappen added.

George Russell, in a Williams, also had an evening to remember, finishing eighth fastest with fellow Briton Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, in the McLarens, in front of him.

Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in an Aston Martin completed the top 10.