Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will start the French Grand Prix on pole position after claiming the 75th pole of his career at the Paul Ricard circuit.

Four-time world champion Hamilton was a tenth quicker than teammate Valtteri Bottas and almost two tenths clear of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel.

The session was interrupted following a crash involving Haas driver Romain Grosjean at the long Turn 4 left-hander, and once it resumed nobody could match Hamilton.

Under-pressure McLaren saw their struggles continue, meanwhile, as Stoffel Vandoorne and Fernando Alonso were eliminated at the first hurdle, marking the team's worst result of the season so far.

Elsewhere, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo were fourth and fifth respectively for Red Bull, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari.

2018 French Grand Prix qualifying results:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
3. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
7. Carlos Sainz (Renault)
8. Charles Leclerc (Sauber)
9. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
10. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
11. Esteban Ocon (Force India)
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
13. Sergio Perez (Force India)
14. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso)
15. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
16. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
17. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren)
18. Sergey Sirotkin (Williams)
19. Lance Stroll (Williams)
20. Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso)