Hamilton takes first Ferrari pole in Mexico City by 0.009 s
Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix in 1:16.514, 0.009 s ahead of George Russell. It is his 105th career pole, his first for Ferrari and Ferrari's first of the 2026 season, and it ends a wait of about three years.
A pole after a difficult Friday
Lewis Hamilton ended a long wait on Saturday in Mexico City. His final run in Q3 produced a 1:16.514, just 0.009 s quicker than the provisional pole time set by George Russell. Charles Leclerc made it two Ferraris in the top three, 0.119 s off the pace. Hamilton's reaction was brief and heartfelt: "Oh man, I'm lost for words," he said, according to Crash.net.
The result came after a weekend that had not started well for him. Hamilton lost power in second practice on Friday, and he said the team was on the back foot afterwards. He also mentioned a setup problem in the first session and a missed lap at the start of Q2. Leclerc, by contrast, had topped both Friday sessions and had received most of the attention.
What the pole means
It is Hamilton's 105th pole position in Formula 1, extending his own record, and the first he has taken for Ferrari. The Race reports that at 41 he is the oldest driver to take a pole since Mario Andretti, who was 42 in 1982. Crash.net puts his previous pole in 2023, so the wait lasted roughly three years. The Race also notes it is Ferrari's first pole of the 2026 season.
Hamilton put part of his form down to his routine and mindset, including ice baths, and said his love of racing has not faded.
The rest of the top ten
Max Verstappen was fourth on the timesheet after a lock-up at Turn 13 spoiled his final lap, but he carries a one-place grid penalty from the Friday clash with Liam Lawson. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was fifth and Lando Norris sixth, ahead of Isack Hadjar. Lawson, who qualified eighth, was later disqualified for a technical breach and will start from the back.
By the numbers
Our data shows how unusual the result is this year. Of the 19 qualifying sessions held so far in 2026, Mercedes won 12 (Antonelli seven, Russell five). Norris took three poles, Verstappen two and Pierre Gasly one. Hamilton's is the 19th and the only one for Ferrari. Before this weekend Hamilton was third in the drivers' standings on 214 points, according to our data.
What comes next
The Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 20:00 UTC (21:00 in Vienna) on Sunday. With a gap of 0.009 s separating pole from second place, the run down to the first corner will be closely watched.
