Rosberg beats Hamilton to Germany pole

Defending world champion Hamilton went out quickest early in the third qualifying session at Hockenheim, but his Mercedes team-mate Rosberg posted a lap of 1 minute and 14.363 seconds to seal pole for Sunday's race.

Published : Jul 30, 2016 19:02 IST , Hockenheim

Rosberg trails Hamilton by just six points in the drivers' standings, but a win would regain him his championship lead.
Rosberg trails Hamilton by just six points in the drivers' standings, but a win would regain him his championship lead.
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Rosberg trails Hamilton by just six points in the drivers' standings, but a win would regain him his championship lead.

German driver Nico Rosberg overhauled his team-mate Lewis Hamilton on his flying lap to take pole position for the German Grand Prix in front of his home fans on Saturday.

Defending world champion Hamilton went out quickest early in the third qualifying session at Hockenheim, but his Mercedes team-mate Rosberg posted a lap of 1 minute and 14.363 seconds to seal pole for Sunday's race.

Rosberg trails Hamilton by just six points in the drivers' standings, but a win would regain him his championship lead.

The Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen make up the second row.

No penalty for Hamilton but Mercedes fined

Meanwhile, Hamilton will not be penalised following an unsafe release into the pit lane during Saturday's practice session ahead of the German Grand Prix, but Mercedes has been fined.

Hamilton joined the pit lane close to Haas driver Romain Grosjean, who was forced to stop in his tracks as the defending champion made his exit.

The Brit was facing a potential 10-place grid penalty for a third reprimand of the season, his previous warnings issued in Bahrain and Russia, but the stewards opted against punishing the driver.

Instead, Mercedes was handed a fine of €10,000 after admitting the team released Hamilton's car when it was unsafe to do so.

Hamilton was outpaced by Rosberg in all three practice sessions this weekend but will not have a penalty hanging over him ahead of Saturday's qualifying session.

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