• British Grand Prix - Qualifying

'I'm so happy you can't believe it' - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton acknowledges 'the best fans by far' © Getty Images

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• News:
• Button blames 'undriveable' McLaren
  
• News:
• Vettel takes pole for dominant Red Bull at Silverstone
  

• Race:
• British Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

Lewis Hamilton said he was delighted after qualifying fourth for Sunday's British Grand Prix. He easily outperformed team-mate Jenson Button who was back in 14th position.

"I don't know how was I able to get so high up but I'm so, so happy," he grinned. "I think it's a great position for us."

Hamilton singled out his McLaren crew for getting the upgrade package in place in time. Mechanics worked into the night and test driver Gary Paffett return to McLaren's Woking base for extensive simulator work to review set-ups.

"Fourth is ... I'm so happy with it, you can't believe it," Hamilton said. "I'm so proud of my team because we pushed so hard all year, but in the last couple of days they pushed longer and harder than ever to get this update package, which is an improvement, but we just were unable to work it. Unfortunately we had to take it off last night. We knew we were a long way off."

He also praised the contribution of the huge Silverstone crowd. "I have to say for me this is the best lap I've ever had. And I think it's down to all the fans we have here. The support you have around this track is like nowhere else. British fans are the best by far."

However, he admitted there was still a gulf between the Red Bulls and the rest, and that the McLarens were in the middle of the chasing pack. "The Red Bull is a second and a bit ahead and have three teams with the blown diffuser who were ahead of us, and it was really about getting the best last possible.

"[But] the race is not over. These guys are clearly faster than us but we can still get a great result tomorrow."

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