Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole for Ferrari with a 1:16.514 lap in Mexico City qualifying on Saturday, according to Formula One's race report. Mercedes' George Russell was his closest challenger ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Hamilton turns the final run around
Russell briefly held provisional pole in the closing moments. Hamilton then found the lap that put him ahead by 0.009 seconds, according to Formula One's qualifying report published on Saturday. The narrow margin ended the Briton's wait for a Grand Prix pole since his time with Mercedes.
Hamilton's opening run in the final segment had left him behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc. He improved when the field returned to the circuit, while Russell also found time on his last attempt. Leclerc ultimately qualified third, giving Ferrari another car near the front of the field.
SportsRivo checked Formula One's report against the FIA's qualifying classification. Both place Hamilton ahead of Russell and Leclerc, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli behind them and McLaren's Lando Norris further back. That comparison confirms Ferrari's strong qualifying result across both cars rather than relying only on the pole headline.
Hamilton, the polesitter, told Formula One, “Oh man, I'm lost for words,” after qualifying. Hamilton also said the team had worked on its set-up after a difficult start to the weekend, which included an engine issue during Friday practice. His comments describe a recovery in the garage as well as on the track.
A title fight beside Ferrari's race opportunity
Hamilton's previous Grand Prix pole came at the Hungarian Grand Prix before his move to Ferrari, Formula One reports. Pole in Mexico City therefore changes the immediate race picture for a driver seeking another win with his new team. Russell remains directly alongside him, with Leclerc close enough to keep Ferrari involved at the front from the start.
SportsRivo's earlier report on Antonelli's title chance covered the championship leader's first mathematical opportunity in Austin. Formula One now says a ninth-place finish in Mexico City would secure Antonelli's maiden drivers' title. His qualifying position leaves that prospect alive even though Hamilton and Russell were faster over a single lap.
What the result changes for Sunday
- Hamilton takes the first starting place and has clear track ahead when the field launches, according to Formula One's qualifying order.
- Leclerc qualified third, placing Ferrari's other car near the Mercedes of Russell, which starts alongside Hamilton.
- Antonelli can still seal the drivers' championship without winning the race, provided he reaches the finishing position identified by Formula One.
The Mexico City race ahead
Formula One's event timetable schedules the Mexico City Grand Prix for 14:00 local time on Sunday. Hamilton's pole sets the front of the race; the title question will depend on Antonelli's finishing position.
Source: Formula One qualifying report