Hamilton takes first Ferrari pole in Mexico: beats Russell by 0.009s
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Lewis Hamilton took pole for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday, his first pole for Ferrari.
- His final lap of 1 minute 16.514 seconds beat George Russell by 0.009 seconds, a record 105th career pole.
- Kimi Antonelli starts fourth and can seal the world title on Sunday with a ninth-place finish or better.
Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Saturday. His lap of 1 minute 16.514 seconds beat George Russell by 0.009 seconds. It is the first pole of Hamilton's Ferrari career.
What happened
Hamilton saved his best for the final run of qualifying. Russell had just taken provisional pole.
Hamilton then went faster by nine thousandths of a second. That tiny margin decided the front row.
The top five finished within two tenths of a second. Charles Leclerc took third, 0.119 seconds behind his team mate.
Max Verstappen was fourth after locking up on his final lap. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was fifth, 0.193 seconds back.
Leclerc had led after the first runs in the final session. Verstappen sat only 0.045 seconds behind him.
Hamilton was more than four tenths down at that point. His second run changed everything.
Russell was quicker in the middle sector. But Hamilton gained in the first and final sectors. That was just enough.
Ferrari had looked quick all weekend. Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions.
Hamilton lost track time on Friday. A technical issue stopped his car in second practice. He set the pace in the first part of qualifying on Saturday.
He then recovered from a messy start to the second part. His last lap came at the perfect moment.
Hamilton was lost for words after the session. "Oh man, I'm lost for words," he said.
He said the team had done a good job with the set-up. His words: "We've really done a good job with the set-up over the weekend."
He said it was his first pole with Ferrari. He also liked the number 105.
On the radio he told Ferrari: "I hope you're proud of yourselves too." He urged the team to keep pushing.
There was drama further down the order. Oscar Piastri failed to reach the final session.
The McLaren driver starts 13th. He said the car had no rear grip. Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto knocked him out in the middle session.
Fernando Alonso stopped on track in the first session. Aston Martin ordered him to stop the car.
A water pressure issue linked to the power unit ended his afternoon. The stoppage brought out a red flag.
Both Verstappen and Liam Lawson carry a one-place grid penalty. It follows their collision in Friday practice.
Verstappen drops from fourth to fifth on the grid. Lawson drops one place from eighth.
His Racing Bulls team mate Arvid Lindblad moves up to eighth. Pierre Gasly rounds out the top ten.
Ryo Hirakawa made his first F1 qualifying appearance. He replaced Esteban Ocon at Haas for the rest of the weekend.
He qualified 19th. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were last for Cadillac.
Why it matters
This is Hamilton's 105th career pole. It extends his own all-time Formula 1 record. No other driver in history has taken this many poles.
His last grand prix pole came with Mercedes. That was at the Hungarian Grand Prix in July 2023.
He waited more than three years for the next one. The wait is finally over.
Hamilton joined Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season. He had taken two sprint poles for the team before this.
A grand prix pole had eluded him until now. Ferrari finally has a pole in the 2026 season too.
He is also Formula 1's oldest pole-sitter for 44 years. Hamilton is 41.
The last older driver to take pole was Mario Andretti in 1982, reported Sky Sports.
Hamilton thanked his team over the radio. He said: "Thank you so much. It has been such a long time coming," in an emotional message.
Only a handful of tracks have seen him on pole twice. He also started first in Mexico back in 2016.
The result caps a strong month for Ferrari. Leclerc also topped Friday practice at the US Grand Prix in Austin last weekend.
The team is ending the season with real pace. A win from pole would be a big statement on Sunday.
What happens next
The race starts on Sunday at 2 PM local time. That is 1 AM on Monday in Pakistan.
The long run to the first corner helps Russell. He can attack at the start. Leclerc keeps a second Ferrari close to the front.
Antonelli is the story of the weekend. He took pole in Austin last weekend.
Now he can win the title in Mexico. He needs to finish ninth or better on Sunday. He starts fourth after Verstappen's penalty.
If neither Hamilton nor Russell wins, Antonelli becomes champion anyway. His own result will not matter.
The 20-year-old would be the youngest world champion in F1 history. But he has had a tough weekend.
He missed his Thursday media duties with a viral illness. He told Sky Sports he is still not feeling 100 per cent.
"I was a bit tense, I am not going to lie," he said.
Verstappen starts fifth after his penalty. Lando Norris starts sixth for McLaren.
Piastri has work to do from 13th. The McLarens were fast in practice but could not deliver in qualifying.
Hamilton starts at the front in a Ferrari for the first time. Sunday will show if the pole can become a win.
Whatever happens at the front, the title fight could end on the same day. Mexico is set for a race that fans will remember.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,