Lewis Hamilton: British GP F1 pole fight the 'most pressurised ever'

Hamilton was beaten by Sebastian Vettel on the first runs in Q3, and admitted he had to dig deep to secure his 76th career pole on the second runs.

He cited the build-up to his home race against the background of England's World Cup involvement and the stiff challenge from Ferrari as the reasons behind his heightened emotional state.

"With the whole build-up, the whole intensity, the whole spirit and moment thing, knowing how close we were, it feels like one of the best laps I have been able to produce," Hamilton said.

"It felt like the most pressurised that I've ever had. And then afterwards I was just... I can't tell you how I was shaking, the adrenaline rush, it was way above the limit than I have experienced before.

"Which is kind of crazy thinking that it's the 76th. The 76th is so special, I'm so, so happy."

Hamilton admitted Ferrari's pace forced him to really push the limits.

"These guys [Ferrari] really pulled something special out, heading into Q3," he said.

"Their car was so quick today. We were really up against it. To really put together the laps is the hardest I can remember it being.

"It's such a technical circuit, such a tricky circuit to really position the car in the right places to get the maximum from your tyres.

"It took everything from me to get it. But the fans were there, and I could see them.

"I really, really wanted to do it and if anything with the pole give a boost to England. They won't be watching, but you know what I mean!"

Expanding on how the session unfolded, he added: "The lap was just intense, I left the pitlane, the first lap was OK, it was pretty good, and then I saw that I dropped to second.

"Obviously that naturally adds a little bit more pressure, because you know that he [Vettel] is going to improve again, so I've got to improve the same and a bit more.

"To push open the limit just that little bit more without losing it is one of the toughest positions to put the car."