Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel beat Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to take his third consecutive pole position.

The German, nine points clear of Hamilton in the championship, was just 0.179 seconds clear of his rival around the demanding Baku street circuit.

Kimi Raikkonen was on course to snatch pole from his team-mate only to make a mistake at the final corner of his lap.

The Finn was sixth, behind Valtteri Bottas’ Mercedes and the Red Bulls.

Vettel did all his work on his first run of the top-10 shootout, when he was 0.342secs quicker than Hamilton.

The world champion closed up on his final lap but it was not enough, meaning a lock-up at Turn Three by Vettel on his final lap was irrelevant.

Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull have showed similar pace through the practice sessions and it was hard to work out who would take top spot.

Ferrari have won twice already this season, with Red Bull taking victory at the last race in China. Mercedes are yet to win.