Lewis Hamilton Breaks All-Time Record With 69th Career Pole Position

British racing superstar Lewis Hamilton has become the most successful qualifier in F1 history, breaking Michael Schumacher's pole position record in an italian GP qualifying session.

Hamilton was 1.148 seconds faster than Red Bull's Max Verstappen in second place, while title rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari came eighth.

However, Vettel will start in sixth position because of grid penalties for Verstappen and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.

The Red Bull pair will drop to the back rows of the field after multiple engine penalties. Force India's Esteban Ocon also starred and will start from a career-best third position.

Hamilton's stunning performance in the terrible weather puts him one up from Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.

"I am so happy," Hamilton said. "To do this here in such a historic circuit and beautiful country, I am going to have some pasta tonight to celebrate."

The Mercedes driver's momentous achievement comes the day after he posted a heartfelt tribute to Princess Diana on his Instagram account.

The F1 star penned a poem entitled 'England's Rose' to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of Diana's death.

The poem reads:

"The day we lost our Nations Rose

Tears we cried like rivers flowed,

The earth stood still

As we laid her to rest,

A day you & I

Will never forget

The people's princess

Who came to see,

The love from a Country

We'd hope she'd lead,

Englands beauty

Captured in one sweet soul,

Carried the torch

God rest her soul,

With the gift she had

She'd light up the way,

With a smile to show us a brighter day,

Hearts still full

of the love she gave,

20 years since she laid in her grave

There will never be another like you,

Now a shinning star in the midnight sky

I will always remember you,

Princess Diana

As our sweet nations Rose"

Since being posted yesterday, Hamilton's poem has received almost half a million likes and thousands of comments.

One user commented "Such beautiful words to one True Lady," while another joked, "By Lewis Hamilton Year 6."

Either way it's a touching tribute from one of the great sporting heroes of our time.

Topics: Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, F1

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday