Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, marking his 105th career pole in Formula 1. This achievement is his first pole position as a Ferrari driver. Hamilton recorded a lap time of 1:16.514 during the qualifying session on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
The 41-year-old British driver also became the oldest pole-sitter in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti in 1982. He edged out George Russell of Mercedes by a margin of 0.009 seconds.
Hamilton’s pole position follows a challenging start to the weekend. He experienced a power unit issue during Friday’s second free practice session, which forced him to stop his Ferrari SF-26 on track. This incident limited his running and prevented him from completing crucial long runs.
Earlier on Friday, Hamilton had also used part of the first practice session for aerodynamic rake testing. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, demonstrated strong pace throughout Friday, topping both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 sessions.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, located over 2,200 meters above sea level, presents unique challenges due to thinner air. This altitude impacts engine performance, aerodynamic downforce, and cooling efficiency.
Despite the difficulties, Hamilton expressed satisfaction with the team’s work on the car’s setup. He stated in Parc Ferme, ‘Oh man, I’m lost for words. It’s been a really, really tough, challenging weekend.’
Oh man, I’m lost for words. It’s been a really, really tough, challenging weekend.
The qualifying session saw a close battle for the top spots. Hamilton noted difficulties in Q2, where he did not secure his initial flying lap. Max Verstappen, who qualified fourth, will start fifth due to a one-place grid penalty.
The full qualifying results for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix are as follows:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 1:16.514
2. George Russell (Mercedes) 1:16.523
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:16.633
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:16.692
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 1:16.707
6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
7. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
Oscar Piastri was eliminated in Q2, qualifying 13th. Fernando Alonso retired from Q1 after his Aston Martin experienced a power unit issue.
Ferrari’s 2026 season has been marked by inconsistent performance, though the team has secured multiple podiums and at least one victory prior to Mexico. Recent aerodynamic upgrades introduced in Austin aimed to increase floor downforce and improve flow stability.
Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari extends through the 2027 season, with an option for 2028. His base salary for 2026 is reported at $60 million.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified fifth and requires a ninth-place finish in Sunday’s Grand Prix to secure his maiden title. The high-altitude circuit makes overtaking challenging, emphasizing the importance of starting position.
