Lewis Hamilton 'silenced the myth' after out-qualifying Valtteri Bottas ahead of French GP

Lewis Hamilton says he's 'silenced the myth' after outperforming team-mate Valtteri Bottas to start second on the grid ahead of the French Grand Prix, despite switching his chassis with the

Finn this weekend.

Max Verstappen secured his fifth career pole position ahead of the race on Sunday, with Bottas starting third, as the championship leader looks to extend his lead at the top of the

standings.

However, Bottas has been rapid across the three practice sessions in Paul Ricard, after two tough weekends, with some suggesting it could be down to Mercedes swapping his chassis with

Hamilton's.

All season, Hamilton has been driving chassis number six, with Bottas in chassis number four ahead of the French Grand Prix. Yet now, Mercedes have switched the pairing, with the Briton now

in the number four.

However, Hamilton, who starts ahead of his team-mate, says he's silenced his critics by qualifying ahead of Bottas.

"It's been a really hard weekend," said the seven-time world champion, "Mentally and not physically but just trying to get the car into a happy place.JUST IN: Nico Rosberg has Valtteri

Bottas and Lewis Hamilton suspicion

"You wouldn't believe how many changes I've made since practice one, we've been going round and round chasing our tail.

"I ended up coming back to something similar to where we started.

"I've been generally unhappy with the car all weekend, I saw you [speaking to Sky Sport's Paul Di Resta] coming out with some myths and so I was happy to prove it wrong.

"The quality of our engineers' work on both the cars is exactly the same, congratulations to Max, he did a great job today, he's been incredibly quick.

DON'T MISS:Williams advisor Jenson Button tells Mercedes of 'best option' Max Verstappen facing last Lewis Hamilton chance before new era French Grand Prix qualifying results RECAP:

Verstappen seals pole

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You

can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

"They've got a new engine this weekend, it's not a new spec as far as I'm aware but they're quick down the straight.

"We've got a race on our hands and we're loving the battle. We're going to keep pushing and keep fighting and giving it everything.

Verstappen leads the standings by four points, with Mercedes trailing Red Bull by 26 points in the team standings too.

And Hamilton concluded that Sunday would be a tough race against their main rivals.

He added: "In practice, we struggled and our long-run pace isn't there. Red Bull are a tenth or two quicker than us on the long runs.

"But my car is in a much different place now so I'm going to stay hopeful and do everything I can. In second you've got to fight into Turn One.

"There's going to be some interesting strategy tomorrow, maybe it'll rain and we'll get to see the rain masters do their thing, I'm excited."

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.