Spanish Grand Prix qualifying: Valtteri Bottas takes convincing pole position to make it three in a row

Bottas seals his third consecutive pole position but Ferrari failed to challenge at th front to leave Mercedes in a class of their own

Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas will start the Spanish Grand Prix in pole position.

Bottas delivered a statement of championship intent by blowing away Lewis Hamilton to secure pole position for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Bottas finished a staggering 0.634 seconds clear of his Mercedes team-mate, securing his third straight pole.

Ferrari driver Vettel will start from third place - he finished almost nine tenths down on Bottas.

Bizarrely, none of the front three could get anywhere close to their initial lap times on the second runs, handing Bottas a convincing pole position and his third in a row.

Ferrari’s cause was not helped by Charles Leclerc running wide on the exit of Turn Nine, which damaged his car and resulted in the Monogasque remaining in the pits for the first runs in Q3.

The session proved a disappointing one for McLaren, with home favourite Carlos Sainz running off on his flying lap in Q2 the end his chances of progressing to the final shootout.

Leclerc eventually emerged to set his lap time, but not only was he 1.18 seconds off the front, he could not force his way in front of the Red Bull of Max Verstappen as he slotted into fifth.

"I enjoyed that, the adrenaline rush that I got with it," said Bottas.

"The season has started well and the way I hope for. I feel better and better in the car."

Lewis Hamilton congratulates Valtteri Bottas on his pole position (AP)

Hamilton added: "Valtteri has been quick all weekend. I just didn't put the laps together. They were not strong.

"It just wasn't a good enough job. I will be giving it everything tomorrow. We will try to convert this into a one-two finish and if I can reverse it I will be happy."

Final Positions after Qualifying:

1 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1min 15.406secs

2 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.040

3 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:16.272

4 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.357

5 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:16.588

6 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Red Bull 1:16.708

7 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:16.911

8 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:16.922

9 Daniil Kvyat (Rus) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:17.573

10 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Renault 1:18.106

11 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:17.338

12 Alexander Albon (Tha) Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:17.445

13 Carlos Sainz (Spa) McLaren 1:17.599

14 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:17.788

15 Sergio Perez (Mex) Racing Point 1:17.886

16 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:18.404

17 Lance Stroll (Can) Racing Point 1:18.471

18 Antonio Giovinazzi (Ita) Alfa Romeo Racing 1:18.664

19 George Russell (Gbr) Williams 1:19.072

20 Robert Kubica (Pol) Williams 1:20.254

PA