Hamilton claims Ferrari’s first pole as Antonelli edges toward F1 title

Lewis Hamilton took pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix in a record-setting qualifying performance that also left Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli on the verge of securing the Formula One world championship. Hamilton’s final lap put Ferrari at the front of the grid by just 0.009 seconds over Mercedes’ George Russell. The pole was Hamilton’s first for Ferrari and his 105th in Formula One, extending his career record.

It was also his first pole in a regular grand prix since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, a wait of 1,197 days, according to ABC Sport. At 41, he became the oldest pole sitter since Mario Andretti achieved the feat for Ferrari at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix. Hamilton said over team radio that the result had been “such a long time coming”.

Speaking to the BBC, he described the weekend as difficult after an engine issue on Friday had prevented Ferrari from completing a long run. He credited the team’s set-up work and said taking his first pole for Ferrari brought back memories of watching Michael Schumacher qualify for the team. Russell’s second place completed the front row and restored some momentum after what he described as a difficult run of races.

The Mercedes driver said he had followed a “gut feeling” by skipping a preparation lap before his final attempt, although the team had planned for one. He acknowledged that the extra fuel weight associated with the team’s preferred approach would have cost more than the eventual gap to Hamilton. Charles Leclerc qualified third.

Max Verstappen was fourth fastest on the track but will drop one place because of a penalty for a clash with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson during Friday practice. As a result, Antonelli will start fourth, with Verstappen fifth. Lawson also has a one-place penalty and will start ninth, behind teammate Arvid Lindblad.

Antonelli is 123 points ahead of Russell, with only 100 points available after the Mexico City weekend, according to ABC Sport and The Guardian. The reports differ slightly in how they describe the title conditions, but agree that Russell or Hamilton must win to keep the championship alive. Antonelli will become the youngest world champion at 20 if he finishes ninth or higher, or if neither rival wins.

A victory for Hamilton would require Antonelli to finish outside the points. Lando Norris qualified sixth for McLaren after failing to improve on his final lap, while Isack Hadjar was seventh. Piastri was eliminated in the second qualifying phase and will start 13th after reporting a lack of rear grip.

Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin also suffered a setback when a water-related power-unit problem forced him to stop during the opening session. Ryo Hirakawa qualified 19th on his F1 debut, while Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas occupy the back row.