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Mexico City GP Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton claims first pole position for Ferrari by edging out Mercedes' George Russell
Lewis Hamilton claims first grand prix pole position for Ferrari in Mexico City; Hamilton edged out George Russell for first pole since July 2023; watch Sunday's race at 8pm (build-up from 6.30pm) to see if Kimi Antonelli can become champion, live on Sky Sports F1
Saturday 31 October 2026 22:55, UK
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position for Ferrari by edging out Mercedes' George Russell in qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Hamilton had been outpaced by his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc throughout the weekend but the 41-year-old produced his best lap when it mattered most at the end of Q3 to edge out Russell by nine thousandths of a second.
The seven-time world champion has twice claimed Sprint poles since his move from Mercedes to Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season but will now start a grand prix from the front of the grid for the first time since July 2023 after extending his record tally to 105 poles.
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Speaking over team radio after being confirmed as Formula 1's oldest pole-sitter for 44 years, Hamilton said: "Thank you so much, it has been such a long time coming."
Moments later in his first post-session interview, Hamilton added: "That felt great! That feels good! I'm so happy. I'm lost for words. It's been a really challenging weekend."
Leclerc had led Max Verstappen after the first runs in Q3, but the pair had to settle for third and fourth, respectively, after both making errors on their final efforts.
Kimi Antonelli, who will be crowned F1's youngest ever world champion on Sunday if he finishes ninth or higher, was almost two tenths off the pace in fifth.
Antonelli will start from fourth as a result of Verstappen having been handed a one-place grid penalty for a collision with Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson during second practice on Friday.
Lando Norris took sixth for McLaren as his team-mate Oscar Piastri suffered a surprise Q2 exit that leaves the Australian starting 13th.
Isack Hadjar was seventh in the other Red Bull, finishing a place ahead of Lawson, who also drops a position on Sunday's grid for his role in Friday's collision with Verstappen.
His Racing Bulls team-mate Arvid Lindblad will climb a position to eighth on the grid, while Alpine's Pierre Gasly rounds out the top 10.
Despite appearing to have the pace to advance from Q1, Fernando Alonso exited in the first part of the session after suffering a water pressure issue that caused him to stop on track and resulted in a brief red-flag stoppage.
Ryo Hirakawa was 19th on his F1 qualifying debut having been drafted in to replace Esteban Ocon following a fall-out between the French driver and team boss Ayao Komatsu on Friday evening.
More to follow...
Sky Sports F1's live Mexico City GP schedule
Sunday November 1
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
11pm: Ted's Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Mexico City where Kimi Antonelli could win the Drivers' Championship in Sunday's race at 8pm (build-up from 6.30pm), live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
