Hamilton surprised to be on pole

The Briton stormed to his second pole in a row just one week after having grabbed his maiden one at the Canadian Grand Prix last weekend.

Hamilton, driving at Indianapolis for the first time this weekend, beat teammate Fernando Alonso to pole, as McLaren secured their third qualifying one-two in a row.

The F1 rookie admitted he wasn't expecting to be so strong today.

"I'm quite surprised to be honest," he said. "Going into qualifying we had not found the optimal set-up and I knew Fernando would be quick here, but it's great to see the team are so quick and ahead of Ferrari.

"Going into it I had to pull it all out, and my two last laps in Q3 were spot on, and I just beat my last lap at the end. I couldn't be happier, I didn't expect pole as I thought Fernando would be quicker."

Hamilton, whose engine was changed ahead of today's practice following a problem on Friday, said he was happier with his second pole than he was with the first one.

"I am ecstatic, didn't expect to get pole. I am happy for the team. Getting my second pole is even better than last week, but when I came across the line and they said I had P1 I was screaming in the helmet for the whole lap, I was ecstatic.

"The crowd were fantastic, and across from the garage there is a flag with 'Lewis on' it, there is lots of support so I am happy."