BUDAPEST: Defending world champion and series leader Lewis Hamilton bidding for a record fifth Hungarian Grand Prix victory will start from pole for Sunday’s race after posting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday. Hamilton’s pole success was his fifth at the Hungaroring circuit where he is the only driver to have won from pole position in the last 10 years. Hamilton leads Nico Rosberg by 17 points in the championship standings with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel a distant third, 42 points adrift, after nine races. It was the 47th pole position of Hamilton’s career and lifted him clear of fellow-Briton Damon Hill with his 18th successive front row start, leaving only legendary Brazilian Ayrton Senna to catch on 24. Vettel was third fastest ahead of Daniel Ricciardo and Finn Kimi Raikkonen, fifth in second Ferrari.

Santo leaves Werder

BERLIN: Argentine striker Franco Di Santo has made use of a buy-out clause in his contract with Werder Bremen to leave the north German club, it said on Saturday. Werder did not say which club Di Santo was set to join but German media reports said Europa League competitors Schalke 04 had won over the talented player. Schalke officials could not be immediately reached for a statement. Werder officials had confirmed earlier in the week they were holding talks with Schalke for the player. The powerful 26-year-old former Chelsea forward, had joined Werder from Wigan Athletic in 2013.

Ho, Anderson win

KAZAN: South African Chad Ho won the men’s open water 5-kilometre gold medal at the World Swimming Championships in Kazan on Saturday. Ho clocked 55 minutes 17.6 seconds to take first place ahead of Germany’s Rob Muffels in a photo finish. Matteo Furlan of Italy won the bronze medal in 55mins 20secs. It was the first time that a South African swimmer had won gold in the world championships. Earlier, Haley Anderson of US won the women’s five kilometre gold. The Olympic silver medallist over 10 kilometres timed 58 minutes 48.4 seconds to edge Greece’s Kalliopi Araouzou into second place with a time of 58mins 49.8secs. The bronze went to Germany’s Finnia Wunram who clocked 58mins 51.0secs.