Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton Secures First Ferrari Pole Position at Mexico City Grand Prix

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 1, 2026, 15:31 IST

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, marking his 105th career pole and becoming the oldest F1 polesitter since 1982 after a challenging weekend.

Lewis Hamilton Secures First Ferrari Pole Position at Mexico City Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton delivered a standout performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, securing his first pole position since joining Ferrari. The seven-time world champion navigated a difficult weekend to top the qualifying timesheets at the Mexico City Grand Prix, ending a drought that stretched back to the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.

The 41-year-old Briton edged out his former Mercedes teammate George Russell to claim the top spot, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc secured third place. This achievement marks the 105th pole position of Hamilton's career and establishes the Mexico City circuit as the 22nd track where he has achieved multiple pole positions, having previously qualified first there in 2016.

Overcoming Adversity to Reach the Milestone

The path to pole was far from straightforward for the veteran driver. Hamilton noted that the team faced significant setbacks early in the weekend, including a rake test during the first practice session and a mechanical engine issue on the previous day. These disruptions left him on the back foot, preventing him from completing a long run during practice.

Despite these hurdles, Hamilton credited the team's diligent work on the car's setup for the turnaround. He highlighted the competitive nature of the session, noting that he had to recover from a difficult start in Q2 when he missed his initial flying lap while rivals were running on fresh rubber. Reflecting on the result, an emotional Hamilton admitted he was nearly lost for words, describing the feeling of the lap as great.

Age Defying Performance and Future Focus

By securing pole position in Mexico, Hamilton became the oldest Formula One polesitter since Mario Andretti achieved the feat at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix. When asked about his longevity in the sport, Hamilton emphasized that his passion remains undiminished. He attributed his continued success to a combination of rigorous physical recovery, including regular ice baths, and an enduring mental drive.

Hamilton expressed that his love for racing remains the primary motivation behind his daily routine. Looking ahead to the race, he acknowledged the immense support he receives from fans globally and stated his focus is now entirely on delivering a strong result in the Grand Prix. The veteran driver remains confident that his preparation and the team's efforts will translate into a competitive showing on race day.