Max Verstappen produced a stunning final lap to beat the McLarens to pole at the British Grand Prix, before declaring that Red Bull's speed on the straights could be decisive in Sunday's race.
The four-time world champion, who was forced to retire from last week's Austrian Grand Prix after being hit from behind by Kimi Antonelli, surged to the top of the standings with a final lap of 1:24.892.
Drivers' championship leader Oscar Piastri had set the time to beat at 1:24.995, which he failed to pass on his last attempt due to a slight loss of control before the final straight.
Piastri's team-mate Lando Norris qualified third with a time of 1:25.010, though home favourite Lewis Hamilton looked set to leapfrog them into pole following a stunning start to his final run.
The seven-time world champion had been fastest in Q2, but he fell 0.135 seconds short of Piastri's best time, opening the door for Verstappen to snatch pole.
The British Grand Prix has been won from the front row on 40 occasions, with 22 of those race victors being polesitters, including Verstappen's only triumph at Silverstone in 2023.
The Dutchman is hopeful of repeating that achievement on Sunday, telling Sky Sports: "It was tricky out there with the wind. It was shifting around a bit. These cars are extremely sensitive to it.
"That final lap was good enough. This is a proper track when you have to go flat out. You have to be really committed, and it's really enjoyable.
"We are quite quick on the straight. We have to wait to see what tomorrow will do and if there's rain around or not.
"I'm happy with qualifying. It's a big boost for the team as well, and I'm excited to go racing tomorrow.
"We'll try. We are going to go racing. We are going to have fun and try to do the best we can."
George Russell – whose future at Mercedes has been called into doubt amid reports linking Verstappen with the Silver Arrows – qualified fourth, just ahead of Hamilton.
Hamilton's Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc was sixth, with Antonelli seventh and Haas' Oliver Bearman eighth. Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 ahead of Carlos Sainz.
Qualifying top 10
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, three-place grid penalty)
8. Oliver Bearman (Haas, 10-place grid penalty)
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
