The three-time world champion passed away on Monday, and while he was a regular fixture in modern-day Formula One and visibly missed, the Monaco Grand Prix felt like a celebration instead of a wake.
The Briton, who now has 77 career wins and a 17-point lead over team mate Valtteri Bottas in the championship, had called for a miracle as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen filled his car’s mirrors, with the pair banging wheels late on.
It was an emotional Hamilton’s second pole in Monaco and the 84th of his career as he dug deep in the final seconds to find the speed required to grab the prime grid position from his team-mate.
Ferrari and Mercedes will set their rivalry aside and join in tributes to honour Niki Lauda at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, the teams said on Wednesday.
An emotional Lewis Hamilton was excused from attending an official news conference on Wednesday ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, following the death of Niki Lauda.