Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton delivered a magnificent performance at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to capture pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix. The 41-year-old British driver earned his 105th career pole, marking his first top spot in qualifying since moving to Ferrari and his first overall since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. It is only his second pole in Mexico, following his first achievement at the venue a decade ago in 2016.
Hamilton’s sensational lap beat Mercedes driver George Russell by a mere nine-thousandths of a second. Overflowing with emotion after securing his landmark qualifying success, Hamilton expressed immense relief and joy over his radio, noting that the breakthrough had been a long time coming. He reflected on his love for the sport and emphasized that staying mentally focused and physically fit helped him achieve the breakthrough with Ferrari in his second season with the team. “Thank you so much, that’s been such a long time coming,” he said. “That feels good. For sure, you might feel aches and pains, luckily I don’t, I do all those different things to keep myself young and fit. And love is not gone.”, but I love what I do. The title is all but in Antonelli’s hands but the day belonged assuredly to Hamilton who brought the crowd to their feet and earned a rapturous reception with an exemplary lap against very tough competition. Coming after his debut win for Ferrari in Barcelona and having endured a very difficult opening season with the team, showing that he has lost none of his edge when he has the right machinery beneath him, it is an extraordinary feat for Hamilton. If he is 100 ahead after the Mexican GP he will take the title. 105 poles, I like that number. For the opening runs in Q3 it was close at the front of the field with no driver holding a clear advantage.
Despite Hamilton taking the spotlight, young sensation Kimi Antonelli remains on the verge of clinching his first world championship. The Mercedes rookie qualified fourth on the grid, positioning himself well to finalize the title race on Sunday. If the 20-year-old secures the crown, he will become Formula One’s youngest world champion and the first Italian driver to claim the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The championship math remains heavily stacked in Antonelli’s favor. The Italian holds a commanding 123-point lead over Russell and a 124-point advantage over Hamilton. To prolong the championship fight, either Russell or Hamilton must win the race. However, even with a win from either veteran, Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish or higher to lock up the title. If neither Mercedes driver nor Hamilton wins, Antonelli will be crowned champion regardless of his result.
During the intense Q3 session, Ferrari initially set the pace, with Charles Leclerc logging an impressive early benchmark time of 1min 16.647sec.
Russell momentarily grabbed the top spot during the final flying laps before Hamilton posted the ultimate pole-winning time. Leclerc finished third, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came in fourth on track but was handed a one-place grid penalty due to a Friday practice clash with Liam Lawson. Lawson, who ended up eighth, also received a one-place penalty. McLaren’s Lando Norris qualified sixth, while teammate Oscar Piastri suffered an early exit in Q2, managing only 13th place after struggling with rear grip.
Away from the front row, drama unfolded at Haas as Esteban Ocon was abruptly removed from the weekend’s lineup. The team announced on Saturday morning that the French driver had been replaced for the remainder of the event by 32-year-old Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa, who is set to make his F1 race debut. Hirakawa brings extensive racing credentials, having previously won the Le Mans 24 Hours and two World Endurance Championships.
Ocon’s sudden withdrawal followed an intense heated argument with his race engineer Laura Müller during Friday’s FP2 session, after which he returned directly to the Haas garage without taking off his helmet. With Ocon already slated to be replaced by Ferrari junior Rafael Câmara next season, media reports quickly began alleging that a physical altercation took place within the garage.
Addressing the rumors directly, Ocon issued a formal statement confirming that a difference of opinion had led to a debate with team personnel, but he vehemently denied any allegations of physical conflict. He emphasized that he strongly condemns violence and maintains that professional differences should always be resolved with respect and understanding, asking the public to refrain from further unverified speculation while the situation is handled. He rubbished suggestions that the exchange of views turned physical, while Ocon admits the disagreement. According to whilst I acknowledge that this took place, I categorically reject any, Or allegations suggesting that any form of physical violence was used to resolve any differences of any nature. “I strongly condemn violence in all its forms and firmly believe that disagreements should always be handled with professionalism, respect, and mutual understanding. I kindly ask that speculation be avoided while the matter is being addressed. Further updates will be communicated in due course.”.
