Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, marking his 105th career pole and ending a three-year drought. The seven-time F1 champion edged out George Russell by 0.009 seconds, with Charles Leclerc third.
A Historic Pole for a New Era
Hamilton’s pole position at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was his first since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, making him the oldest driver to secure a pole since Mario Andretti for Ferrari in 1982. The 38-year-old Brit, who joined Ferrari in 2025, acknowledged the emotional weight of the achievement, stating, It’s been a really challenging weekend—we had the engine issue yesterday, which meant we were on the back foot.
His victory in qualifying came despite starting fourth in the first runs, with Leclerc and Verstappen initially leading the session Elmomento.
A Legacy Rekindled
Hamilton’s victory in qualifying was deeply personal, with the Brit reflecting on his journey with Ferrari. To have your first Ferrari pole, it takes me back to watching Michael [Schumacher] get all those poles when he was at Ferrari and all those wins,
he said. The 105th pole—number that he ‘likes’—was a nod to his legacy, though his season with Ferrari has been marked by inconsistency, with no podium finishes in 2025. Despite this, Hamilton expressed confidence in the team’s progress, stating, We’ve done a really good job on the setup.
The Road to the Title
The Mexico City Grand Prix now sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2026 season. Antonelli, who needs only a finish outside the points to secure the title, faces a uphill battle against Hamilton and Russell, who could deny him victory with a win. Hamilton, who has never started from pole at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, expressed optimism about the race, saying, I don’t think I lost any time anywhere. It was a super-good lap.
His comments underscored the confidence he has regained with Ferrari, despite a difficult first season with the team Yahoo.
For Ferrari, the result marks an important milestone in Hamilton’s tenure, though the team’s performance has been inconsistent throughout the year. The 105th pole for Hamilton was a bittersweet moment, as the team continues to face the challenges of a difficult 2025. As the grid lines up for the race, the stakes are clear: a win for Hamilton or Russell could alter the championship narrative, while Antonelli’s path to glory remains precarious Elmomento.
