Bottas takes pole in Brazil

Sao Paulo : Valterri Bottas produced a scorching lap to snatch pole at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Mercedes ace Bottas claimed the front of the grid ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikonnen after Lewis Hamilton crashed out in the first stage of qualifying.

Hamilton, who had won his fourth world title last out in Mexico City, made a schoolboy error at Interlagos and went skidding into the tyre barriers at 160mph.

The 32-year-old escaped unscathed but means he starts at the back for tomorrow’s race in Sao Paulo.

Hamilton apologised to his team after losing control at turn six on cold tyres which destroyed the front left of his car.

He said: “I’m OK. It happened really quick.

“There’s not much to say, you saw it, it is what it is. Challenges make life interesting. I will just try to take whatever bubble of negativity comes and move forward.

“It shows we are all human. I will try and have as much fun as possible tomorrow.