Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton roared to a record seventh pole at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, blitzing the field in his Mercedes with a blazing lap at Albert Park. The Briton flew around the lakeside circuit in a record one minute, 21.164 seconds with his final effort leaving a yawning gap of 0.664 seconds to Ferrari’s second fastest Kimi Raikkonen. Sebastian Vettel was third fastest for Ferrari but Hamilton was in a class of his own and the Silver Arrows appear as dominant as ever as they bid to sweep the driver and constructors titles for a fifth year running. That was intense. My heart’s racing. I wish you could feel it right now, the 33-year-old Hamilton said after clambering onto his car at the finish and pumping his fists. I’m so happy with that lap. Hamilton moved past the six poles his idol Ayrton Senna claimed in the Australian race with a furious pace that will leave the Ferrari and Red Bull teams scratching their heads.