Bottas outshines Mercedes's mate Ham for pole hat-trick

"The season has started well, the way I hoped for, and I feel better in the car." Hamilton congratulated Bottas and conceded that he had been unable to extract the maximum from his car on a circuit where he was hoping to land his own hat-trick of three straight Spanish poles. Vettel was also disappointed as Ferrari failed to deliver the pace that could bring an end to Mercedes domination. "The car doesn't feel too bad, but obviously we are not quick enough," he said.

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