Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying: Hamilton grabs historic pole at the last

19 cars started qualifying - Renault's Jolyon Palmer suffered an engine fire in the final free practice and had to sit it out. The Ferraris and the Red Bulls were quick on to the track, but a Mercedes was the quickest around it - Lewis Hamilton leading the way. Valtteri Bottas had a bit of a nightmare, loitering in 19th place up until five minutes to go when he decided to put in a proper lap and secure himself a place in Q2.

Lots of mistakes as well, with Carlos Sainz overrunning a corner.

And elsewhere Fernando Alonso got very cross with Daniel Ricciardo getting in his way during a hot lap. That meant the Spaniard was out in Q1 for the first time this year - a real testament to how well he's driven that unreliable McLaren. Still, he has grid penalties so qualifying is pretty much irrelevant to him.

Max Verstappen had reported engine problems in his Red Bull in free practice, and they seemed to recur here according to his panicked radio message - only briefly, though, because he then managed to lock himself into fourth.

Hamilton continued to blister his way through the field, with Bottas a good three-tenths behind him.

And there was more familiarity between wall and car for some drivers.

Perhaps surprisingly, Lance Stroll went seventh quickest - he's had an inconsistent season so far but that was a good show.

Hamilton, under pressure, had a glitchy first run, and couldn't go quicker than his team-mate. Deciding to stay out and keep his tyres hot, he had another go at a timed lap.

Then the red flag was brought out with three and a half minutes to go as Daniel Ricciardo parked his Red Bull on one of the straights after hitting the rear of the car on the wall.

The pack were poised ready to get back out on track, with Verstappen hoping to get two laps in when the clock restarted, and instructed by his team to defend his position if the Mercedes cars tried to get past him.

In the end it was a Mercedes shoot-out, with Bottas swinging round close to the wall and Hamilton driving a much tighter line - and the Brit came out on top, taking pole position - the 66th of his career, putting him one clear of Ayrton Senna and just two behind Michael Schumacher.

Disappointing showing from Vettel, but what a thrilling final few minutes of Q3 - both Bottas and Hamilton improved on their previous best times. This track is presenting a few problems for all the drivers with those close walls and tight turns - it promises a great race.

Esteban Ocon starts seventh - his highest-ever race start. The Force Indias have been worth watching all season - could this be their moment?

Lance Stroll outqualified his team-mate Felipe Massa for the first time ever. After a series of error-strewn drives, this was intriguing to see. Can he drive as well in an actual race?

Hamilton - Vettel - Verstappen