Mercedes driver Hamilton messed up the Formbook lap and took pole position ahead of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, who both made mistakes on their final Q3 laps at Imola and missed their respective chances to take the lead.
Perez starts with the soft compound tires after he and Red Bull decided to secure a Q3 berth in the middle sector of qualifying before using the medium tires.
Hamilton and Verstappen weathered Q2 on midsize tires, which means their racing strategy can have great flexibility by being able to run longer in the first stint.
It is understood, however, that the 2021 Pirelli C4 Softs will not break down quickly in the cool conditions of the weekend, which increases Perez’s chances of battling Hamilton alongside his teammate.
After his 99th pole position in Formula 1, Hamilton was asked about his thoughts on how Mercedes could compete against both Red Bull cars in Sunday’s race – the opposite situation to many events in recent seasons where only Verstappen had the Black Arrows up front could disturb.
“If we’re able to get okay then of course they have a little better hand in terms of strategy,” said Hamilton.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t get something unique out and do something different.
“I’m not sure what to do with Valtteri. has happened [Bottas, the 2020 Imola polesitter who qualified eighth after topping both Friday practice sessions and Q1].
“It is very difficult to overtake here so we probably won’t have enough support from him soon, but maybe he will make it anyway.
“But otherwise we just have to focus on our job and try to do absolutely anything and more to hold these guys back.”
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When asked by Motorsport.com to explain the difference between his two Q3 laps – the second of which was a bit slower than the 1.14.411 minutes that secured pole – Hamilton said, “I honestly didn’t know if we can do it or not.
“The first lap, for example from Q3, I think started a tenth in turns 1 and 2 and I knew I was on a good lap, but the second sector lost a bit of a turn 12.” [Acque Minerali].
“Unfortunately came out of turns 2 and 3 the second time.” [Tamburello] a tenth down, I think, or a tenth down, and when I got to Turn 9 [Piretella], I was ten and a half minutes behind, but was able to make up for it with the middle and last sector.
“Well, having these two together would have been the perfect lap in my opinion – but to be honest, I’m so happy with it [first] Lap.
“Of course, it really counted in the first lap. So, thank you for that. ”
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