Mexico City GP Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton claims first pole position for Ferrari by edging out Mercedes’ George Russell | F1 News

November 1, 2026:

Mexico City GP Qualifying: Lewis Hamilton claims first pole position for Ferrari by edging out Mercedes’ George Russell | F1 News

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.

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.”

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Lewis Hamilton edged out George Russell to become the oldest person to claim pole position since 1982.

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.

More from Mexico City Gp 2026

  • F1 Mexico City GP LIVE: Qualifying and final practice updates, results, stream, highlights from Formula 1 race weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

  • Mexico City GP: Lando Norris pips Kimi Antonelli in final practice to set up thrilling Mexico qualifying

  • Mexico City GP 2026: Dates, schedule, weather, UK start time and how to watch or stream F1 race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez live on Sky Sports

  • F1 Mexico City GP LIVE: Friday Practice updates, results, stream, highlights from Formula 1 race weekend

  • Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson receive grid penalties for ‘unacceptable’ practice collision at Mexico City Grand Prix

  • Mexico City GP: Charles Leclerc completes Friday practice double as Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton suffers technical failure

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.

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With Kimi Antonelli on the brink of becoming Formula One’s youngest ever world champion, Ted Kravitz looks at the history of those who have broken that record previously.

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.

More to follow…

Mexico City GP Qualifying Timesheet

Driver Team Time
1) Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:16.514
2) George Russell Mercedes +0.009
3) Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.119
4) Max Verstappen* Red Bull +0.178
5) Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.193
6) Lando Norris McLaren +0.310
7) Isack Hadjar Red Bull +0.386
8) Liam Lawson* Racing Bulls +0.515
9) Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls +0.603
10) Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.639
Knocked out in Q2
11) Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:17.306
12) Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:17.640
13) Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:17.646
14) Gabriel Bortoleto** Audi 1:17.680
15) Oliver Bearman Haas 1:18.083
16) Carlos Sainz Williams 1:18.885
Knocked out in Q1
17) Alex Albon Williams 1:18.630
18) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:18.908
19) Ryo Hirakawa Haas 1:18.958
20) Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:19.072
21) Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:19.105
22) Valtteri Bottas*** Cadillac 1:19.852
*one-place penalty
**five-place penalty
***back of grid start

Sky Sports F1’s live Mexico City GP schedule

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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Mexico City Grand Prix

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

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