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Lewis Hamilton blasts to pole position for British Grand Prix

SILVERSTONE, England - Lewis Hamilton took pole position for his home British Grand Prix for the third year in a row on Saturday with a sensational lap that left him one step away from Michael Schumacher's Formula One record. Hamilton's championship-leading Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, who has a 20-point advantage after nine of 20 races, qualified third. The Mercedes driver was half a second quicker than Ferrari's second placed Kimi Raikkonen and his time of one minute 26.600 seconds was so outrageously quick there were gasps before the crowd erupted. "I always try to leave the best to last," the Briton told retired champion Jenson Button in post-qualifying interviews on the grid. "I had to make sure I got that lap in. I couldn't do it last weekend (in Austria) so I made sure I could here." Hamilton still faced a nervous wait after race stewards announced they were investigating an incident involving French driver Romain Grosjean, who complained he had been blocked earlier in the session. They swiftly decided to take no further action. The Briton's mastery of a damp but drying track lit up an overcast afternoon and the pole was the 67th of his career, sixth of the season, and gave him every chance of equalling Schumacher's record 68 before the August break. The triple world champion has won the last three British Grands Prix and can equal the late Jim Clark's feat of four home wins in a row, and five in total, on Sunday. Saturday ensured he has already matched Clark's 50-year-old record of five British Grand Prix pole positions. "I feel amazing in front of a great crowd like this. I hope you liked the lap," Hamilton told the grandstands full of cheering fans. "I generally like it to be dry, but I like it when the conditions are tricky." Hamilton's Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas, winner in Austria, was fourth fastest but has a five-place penalty following a gearbox change. That promoted Red Bull's Dutch teenager Max Verstappen, who has suffered five retirements in the last seven races, to the second row. Renault's Nico Hulkenberg and his former Force India team mate Sergio Perez filled the third row. There was good news for beleaguered McLaren, who raised a cheer when Fernando Alonso made the most of improving conditions to set the fastest time in the first phase of qualifying, with Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne qualifying ninth.

The first $2.5M Ferrari F60 America arrives in Palm Beach

There's a rather happy-looking individual in Palm Beach today. And well he should be. After all, he just took delivery of the very first Ferrari F60 America. Can't remember the F60 America? We can hardly blame you, seeing as how it has been well over a year since Ferrari first unveiled it in Beverly Hills back in October 2014. It's not the successor to the F40 and F50 as the name might suggest – that role having already been taken by the Enzo and LaFerrari – but rather a special take on the F12 Berlinetta. It features a unique roadster bodystyle, an evocative (if not downright retro) blue and white NART livery, and the 6.3-liter V12 in 730-horsepower spec that would later appear in the F12 TdF. It's a worthy successor, in short, to previous front-engined V12 roadsters from Maranello, like the 550 Barchetta, 575 Superamerica, and 599 SA Aperta. The Prancing Horse marque set out to build only ten examples, each destined for these shores, in celebration of Ferrari's 60 years in the US market. Despite the shocking $2.5 million sticker price, all of them were spoken for before it was even unveiled. The first was finally delivered on Monday to its eagerly awaiting owner during the 25th annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic, in front of some of the country's top Ferrari collectors and aficionados. The first F60 America consigned Palm Beach, 25th January – The first F60 America was delivered this weekend to the delight of a discerning crowd of Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts during the 25th annual Palm Beach Cavallino Classic. This strictly limited-edition car, which was produced to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Ferrari in America, is the first of just ten to be delivered nationwide. The car pays homage to American clients' great passion for both the V12 engine and open-top driving. The F60 America's bodywork adopts the classic North American Racing Team livery, and the special Ferrari 60th Anniversary Prancing Horse badge on the wheelarches appears on the tunnel in the cockpit. This beautiful example in Blu Nart livery – Bianco Italia looked instantly at home under the azure Florida sky. Featured Gallery Ferrari F60 America: First Delivery News Source: Ferrari Ferrari Car Buying Convertible Supercars ferrari f60 america

This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California could sell for $17 million

Ferraris of all stripes typically command high prices, but the ones that bring in the serious money always have at least one of a few things behind them: additional rarity, racing heritage, famous ownership. This 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider definitely has at least two, and arguably three. The car is one of just eight built with an aluminum body. It also participated in Le Mans, taking home third place for its class, and fifth place overall. Finally, it was campaigned by the Ferrari North American Racing Team, typically referred to as N.A.R.T. As a result, RM Sotheby's estimates this Ferrari roadster will sell for between $14 million and $17 million. Supporting the high valuation are other important things car collectors look for. The car has been certified as authentic by Ferrari's official classic department. It's also won its class at Pebble Beach after its first restoration was completed in 1983. It was restored again between 2010 and 2011 to bring it back to its original race-ready paint scheme. Besides the car's extensive history, it's a gorgeous machine. The 250 GT California line is one of the more iconic from Ferrari, thanks in part to a red replica being the star car of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." The silver and blue color combination is unique and works great. It should also be a superb driver, with a race-prepped engine and notably lighter body. According to RM Auctions, the seller says it's excellent to drive, and if that's him in the pictures, we'd say his smile confirms his claims. The car goes on the block Dec. 6 at RM Sotheby's auction in New York City. To paraphrase Mr. Bueller himself, if you have the means, we highly recommend picking this one up. Related Video: Featured Gallery 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione by Scaglietti View 30 Photos Image Credit: Diana Varga courtesy of RM Sotheby's Motorsports Ferrari Auctions Convertible Racing Vehicles Classics ferrari 250 gt california north american racing team