F1 Styrian Grand Prix qualifying: Lewis Hamilton takes pole, Daniel Ricciardo ninth - Wide World of Sports

Lewis Hamilton showed why he's one of Formula One's best ever in wet conditions, dominating on a rain-drenched track to take pole position for the Styrian Grand Prix on Saturday.

"I definitely had my heart in my mouth," Hamilton said.

You don't know where anyone is, you don't know what time it is.

It was arguably Hamilton's best pole since Singapore two years ago.

"These are the hardest conditions we ever drive in, just one small lapse in concentration and you're off (the track) ...

Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas could not match him this time, qualifying in fourth place after taking pole and winning last Sunday's Austrian GP.

"It could have been better but I don't think it was enough to beat Lewis," the Dutch driver said.

It was the best career result in qualifying for Sainz Jr.

With drivers told the rain would soon get heavier, they were advised to post a solid time quickly in order to get into the second part of qualifying.

With two minutes left in Q1, the first part of qualifying, Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi lost control of his Alfa Romeo and it swerved sideways and then backward into a crash barrier.