Lewis Hamilton equals Michael Schumacher's record of 68 pole positions after Belgium masterclass

The Briton, who trails the German by 14 points in the drivers' standings, was 0.541 seconds ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valterri Bottas, who finished in third spot ahead of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari.

Max Verstappen finished ahead of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo on an all-Red Bull third row.

Schumacher, whose 91 race wins and seven championships will still take some beating, set his pole record at Magny-Cours in France in July 2006.

The German has not been seen in public since he suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in France in 2013 but a message from the family was delivered to Hamilton by former Ferrari technical head Ross Brawn.

"They want to congratulate you on equalling Michael's record and, as Michael always said, records are there to be beaten," said Brawn, former Mercedes principal and now a managing director for Formula One.

Hamilton was clearly moved by both his achievement and the message. "I think and pray for Michael all the time. I've had the privilege of racing with him and always admired him and still do," he told the crowd.

Hamilton took over from Schumacher, who had retired from Ferrari in 2006 but returned with Mercedes in 2010, after joining from McLaren in 2013. The Briton's lap was more than four seconds quicker than last year's pole, set by now-retired champion Nico Rosberg, and Hamilton said Mercedes had done an amazing job.

"To be up here ahead of the Ferrari is an amazing feeling. This is one of my favourite circuits so to come here and put a lap together like that is a dream," he said.

Belgian driver Stoffel Vandoorne will start his first home grand prix in last place after qualifying 15th for McLaren but with a 65-place grid penalty.