Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position with Ferrari after delivering an impressive qualifying performance at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Hamilton posted a lap time of 1:16.514 to lead the starting lineup for Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix. He edged out George Russell by just nine milliseconds in an incredibly tight qualifying session.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve sat in this spot,” Hamilton told the media in his post-qualifying media session. “I don’t really remember the last time I had a pole.”
“But it’s such a close qualifying and so difficult, I think, for everyone, working the tires… You just have to be as millimetre perfect as you can be. It was a really, really clean lap.”
The result marked Hamilton’s 105th career pole position in the sport and his first since July 2023. However, he has claimed Sprint poles twice since he moved to Ferrari, but a Grand Prix pole in Mexico is his first with Ferrari colors.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Challenging Mexico Weekend After First Pole
Hamilton’s first pole for Ferrari comes after a difficult period of adaptation and several ups and downs since he started his new racing chapter with the Italian outfit.
Hamilton had a disrupted Friday practice session at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez as the seven-time world champion faced a power unit issue which ultimately cut his FP2 short.
However, despite the setback, the Briton remained optimistic that Ferrari could eventually deliver a qualifying package capable of putting him back at the front of the grid.
“Embarking on this journey with Ferrari, and all the challenges and ups and downs we’ve had,” Hamilton said. “Even yesterday was challenging, when the car stopped on track, and we lost the long runs that everyone got to do.”
“But just continuing to hold on to that hope that one day we’ll get back on the front row and to P1 once we dial the car…”
Lewis Hamilton on Rewarding Ferrari’s Faith in Him
Beyond the personal achievement, Hamilton was particularly pleased to reward Ferrari for the faith and belief the team has shown in him since he arrived in 2025. He also secured his first Grand Prix victory with the team at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in June this year.
“My belief in this team and the opportunity that they’ve given me and the belief that they’ve put, and faith they’ve put in me also, it feels great to be able to reward them with a pole,” the British driver said.
Mercedes’ George Russell will start on the front row alongside Hamilton on Sunday. Teammate Charles Leclerc will start third for the 71-lap race, followed by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completing the top-five.
Lando Norris, Isack Hadjar, Arvid Lindblad, Pierre Gasly, and Nico Hülkenberg complete the top-10 drivers on the starting grid.
More F1 Reading
- Oscar Piastri Can’t Explain Grip Loss That Ended His Mexico City Qualifying in Q2
- ‘I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes’: Max Verstappen Claims Lando Norris Incident Compromised His Pole Bid in Mexico City Qualifying
- Charles Leclerc Warns Mexican Grand Prix Order Will Be Set in First Few Corners
- Kimi Antonelli Admits Being ‘More Tense Than Usual’ As He Chases Championship Glory in Mexico City
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Oscar Piastri Can’t Explain Grip Loss That Ended His Mexico City Qualifying in Q2
‘I Couldn’t Believe My Eyes’: Max Verstappen Claims Lando Norris Incident Compromised His Pole Bid in Mexico City Qualifying
Charles Leclerc Warns Mexican Grand Prix Order Will Be Set in First Few Corners
Kimi Antonelli Admits Being ‘More Tense Than Usual’ As He Chases Championship Glory in Mexico City
