---
title: "Hamilton hints at bigger challenge to come after pole"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/07/hamilton-hints-bigger-challenge-come-pole/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-10-07T08:37:34Z"
modified: "2017-10-07T08:37:34Z"
---

# Hamilton hints at bigger challenge to come after pole

Lewis Hamilton may have romped to a 71st pole position ahead of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, but he has acknowledged that the race could be a greater challenge.

Hamilton’s first pole position at Suzuka marks his 10th of the 2017 campaign – a year in which Mercedes has typically demonstrated stronger pace in qualifying compared with that of race trim.

This trend was most notable during last weekend’s Malaysia Grand Prix. Hamilton grabbed pole position but faltered in the race. He finished a distant second behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

“I think our car is generally very strong in qualifying trim but generally when we get to a race we are maybe a step back,” Hamilton said when asked how he expected to perform during the 53 lap race.

“Trying to understand that philosophy and trying to figure out how we can improve that for next years car is key.

“It’s hard to overtake, if not impossible to overtake here \[at Suzuka\], so we have definitely put ourselves in the best position. I’m hoping our car works well tomorrow. It felt good on the soft tyre – perhaps less so on the super-soft.”

Suzuka was the final of the incumbent venues on F1’s calendar in which Hamilton had yet to score a pole position.

Hamilton reflected, “I’m super excited. It’s been ten years trying to get that pole position – we’ve finally got it. If you don’t get it the first time, try harder, try harder. I knew it would eventually come so I’m really grateful.”

While Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas qualified second, a five-place grid penalty demotes him to seventh. Joining Hamilton on the front-row instead will be his championship rival Sebastian Vettel.

It will be the sixth time this year that the two championship contenders have shared the front-row.

“He \[Vettel\] won’t be any more aggressive than I am,” Hamilton said when considering the race start. “I need to make sure I can keep the eight meters that I have. Starts have generally been strong this year, so I’ll just try and continue that.”