Russian grand prix
Hamilton takes Russian Grand Prix pole after 'horrible' qualifying
Hamilton clocked a best lap in one minute and 31.304 seconds to outpace Max Verstappen of Red Bull by half a second.
Ferrari have won the last three races, however, and also racked up three pole positions in a row. Hamilton and Bottas failed to finish on the podium at the previous round in Singapore.
The defending four-time champion, who started second on the grid, was helped again by Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who allowed him to overtake and then defended him from attack by title rival Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari, as he battled to finish second.
Mercedes have yet to be beaten in four Russian Grands Prix, with Hamilton winning two of them.
The German lapped the Sochi street circuit with a fastest time of one minute 34.001 seconds on the ultrasoft tyres.
The German equalled the achievement of compatriot Michael Schumacher in winning seven successive races.
The German clinched one of the easiest poles of his career.
Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural Russian Formula One Grand Prix.
The pole was the 29-year-old Briton’s seventh of the season and 38th of his career.
The Russian Grand Prix, the country's first Formula One race, will be held in Sochi in 2014.