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Mercedes had Ocon ready to swap in for ill Lewis

HOCKENHEIM, Germany -- Lewis Hamilton has revealed he felt unwell ahead of qualifying for the German Grand Prix, leading his Mercedes team to put reserve driver Esteban Ocon on standby to take his place.

Hamilton took pole position by 0.346s after both Ferrari drivers retired from the Saturday's qualifying with car problems, but later revealed the session was not as easy as it looked. After feeling unwell on Saturday morning, Mercedes took precautionary measures -- including informing the FIA of a potential plan to sub Ocon for Hamilton -- in case the five-time world champion was unfit to take part.