Hamilton claims first Ferrari pole at Mexico GP, oldest polesitter since 1982
Synopsis
Lewis Hamilton hadn't sat on pole since mid-2023 — then came Mexico City. At 41, driving for Ferrari in his debut season with the Scuderia, he out-qualified George Russell and Charles Leclerc to claim his 105th career pole and become the oldest F1 polesitter in over 40 years. It's the kind of moment that reframes a career chapter.
Key Takeaways
Lewis Hamilton claimed his 105th career pole at the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November 2026 — his first for Ferrari .
His previous pole came at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix , ending a wait of more than three years.
Hamilton, 41 , is now the oldest polesitter in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix .
George Russell (Mercedes) qualified second ; Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was third .
Mexico City is now the 22nd circuit where Hamilton has taken multiple poles; he first did so there in 2016 .
The team overcame an engine issue on Friday and a compromised Q2 lap to secure the front row start.
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November 2026, ending a wait that stretched back to the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix — over three years without topping a qualifying sheet. The milestone is Hamilton's 105th career pole, and it came at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in what the seven-time world champion described as an emotionally charged session.
How Qualifying Unfolded
Hamilton edged out former teammate and Mercedes driver George Russell by the narrowest of margins to secure P1. His current Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc qualified third, making it a strong front-row showing for the Scuderia. The session was not without drama — Hamilton revealed that an engine issue on Friday had left the team on the back foot heading into Saturday, and he failed to complete a clean lap in Q2 at the start due to tyre sequencing.
Hamilton's Reaction: 'Lost for Words'
'Wow! That felt great,' Hamilton said immediately after the session. 'That feels good. So happy. Oh man, I'm lost for words. It's been a really, really tough, challenging weekend.'
He elaborated on the adversity the team overcame: 'Obviously, FP1, we had a rake running, and we obviously then had the engine issue we had yesterday, which meant that we were just on the back foot. I didn't get to do a long run. But we've really done a good job with the set-up over the weekend.'
On what drives him at 41, Hamilton added: 'When there's a will, there's a way, you know? And I think it's all in the mind, honestly… I love what I do. And that love is not gone, you know. I wake up every day thinking about it. I dream about it.'
Historic Landmarks for the Brit
This pole carries significant statistical weight. Mexico City now becomes the 22nd circuit where Hamilton has recorded more than one pole — he first took pole here in 2016. More strikingly, at 41 years old, Hamilton is the oldest polesitter in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix, a record that had stood for over four decades.
What It Means for the Race and the Season
Starting from pole at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez — a circuit known for its thin air reducing aerodynamic grip — gives Hamilton and Ferrari a psychological and strategic edge heading into Sunday's race. This is the first time since his high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari that Hamilton has led the grid, making it a landmark moment in his second chapter as a racing driver. Notably, the result also underlines Ferrari's improving set-up pace after what Hamilton described as valuable lessons learned from the previous race. All eyes will now be on whether he can convert the pole into a race victory.
Point of View
A mid-season switch to a new team's culture and machinery, and he still finds a way to the front. What mainstream coverage underweights is the structural story: Ferrari's set-up pace has visibly improved over consecutive race weekends, suggesting the partnership is maturing faster than sceptics expected. The 1982 Andretti comparison is vivid, but the more relevant parallel is Alonso's late-career renaissance — a reminder that elite cognitive speed, not just physical reflexes, is what puts a car on pole.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lewis Hamilton's last pole position before Mexico City 2026?
Hamilton's previous pole position came at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, meaning he went more than three years without topping a qualifying sheet before his Mexico City effort for Ferrari.
Why is Hamilton's Mexico pole historically significant?
At 41 years old, Hamilton is the oldest polesitter in Formula 1 since Mario Andretti at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix — a record that had stood for over four decades. It is also his 105th career pole and his first for Ferrari.
How did the rest of qualifying pan out at Mexico City?
George Russell qualified second for Mercedes, while Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc took third place. Hamilton revealed he had to overcome an engine issue on Friday and a disrupted Q2 run before nailing his final lap.
What challenges did Ferrari and Hamilton face during the Mexico City weekend?
The team ran a rake setup in FP1 and then encountered an engine issue on Friday that left Hamilton without a complete long run. He also missed a clean lap at the start of Q2 due to tyre sequencing. The team adjusted the car's setup significantly over the weekend to recover.
What does starting from pole mean for Hamilton's race prospects?
Pole position at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez gives Hamilton and Ferrari a strategic advantage heading into Sunday's race. It is the first time since his switch from Mercedes that Hamilton has led an F1 grid, raising expectations for a potential race win.
