Lewis Hamilton on his first pole with Ferrari 🗣️…🚨 LEWIS HAMILTON MAKES HISTORY WITH FIRST FERRARI POLE POSITION IN MEXICO! 🇬🇧❤️
Seven-time world champion ends three-year wait for a Grand Prix pole as he delivers a sensational qualifying performance for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton has finally achieved another major milestone in his remarkable Formula 1 career, securing his first-ever Grand Prix pole position with Ferrari at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. The British superstar delivered a stunning final lap at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to put the famous red Ferrari on top of the qualifying standings, sending an enormous wave of excitement through the team and its supporters around the world.
For Hamilton, this was much more than simply securing the first starting position for Sunday’s race. It was a moment that represented patience, determination, belief and the reward for continuing to fight through a challenging period since joining Ferrari.
After a difficult qualifying campaign and several frustrating weekends, Hamilton finally produced the kind of performance Ferrari had been waiting for. His impressive lap of 1:16.514 was enough to beat Mercedes driver George Russell by just 0.009 seconds in one of the closest qualifying battles of the season.
It was a remarkable achievement for the seven-time world champion, who had been waiting since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix to secure another traditional Grand Prix pole position.
Now, that long wait is finally over.
A PERFECT FINAL LAP MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Hamilton’s route to pole position was far from straightforward. Ferrari had shown encouraging speed throughout the weekend, but the competition remained extremely close, with Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren all looking capable of challenging for the top positions.
During the opening stages of qualifying, Hamilton demonstrated strong pace and immediately established himself as a serious contender.
However, the real challenge came during the final Q3 shootout.
Charles Leclerc initially looked particularly strong, setting an impressive benchmark that appeared difficult to beat. Hamilton’s first attempt left him with work to do, but the British driver refused to give up.
He understood where he could find additional time and focused on getting his tyres into the perfect operating window before beginning his final flying lap.
When it mattered most, Hamilton delivered.
George Russell briefly moved into provisional pole position with an excellent lap of 1:16.523. However, Hamilton responded with an even quicker effort, stopping the clock at 1:16.514.
The difference was just nine thousandths of a second.
That tiny margin was enough to give Ferrari a spectacular result and Hamilton his first pole position since joining the Scuderia.
HAMILTON DESCRIBES THE MOMENT AS INCREDIBLY SPECIAL
Following the session, Hamilton struggled to hide his happiness as he celebrated the achievement with his Ferrari team.
Speaking after qualifying, the British driver explained how much the result meant to him after the challenges he had experienced throughout the weekend.
He described the moment as an incredibly special feeling, explaining that he had been working towards achieving his first Ferrari pole position for a long time.
Hamilton also acknowledged that the weekend had not been easy.
Ferrari had experienced difficulties during practice, including an engine-related issue that affected his running and prevented him from completing an important long-run programme.
Despite those setbacks, the team continued working on the car’s setup, analysing its performance and searching for improvements.
Hamilton praised the efforts of everyone involved, including the engineers and mechanics working both at the circuit and back at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello.
His achievement was also a reward for the faith Ferrari had placed in him when he made the sensational move from Mercedes.
MICHAEL SCHUMACHER MEMORIES MAKE THE ACHIEVEMENT EVEN MORE SPECIAL
One of the most emotional aspects of Hamilton’s first Ferrari pole was the connection he made with the legendary Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher remains one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, having won five consecutive world championships with Ferrari between 2000 and 2004.
Hamilton explained that securing pole position for the Italian team reminded him of watching Schumacher dominate qualifying sessions during his Ferrari years.
For Hamilton, joining Ferrari had always represented an important chapter in his career.
He grew up watching the legendary German driver achieve extraordinary success in the famous red machinery. Now, years later, Hamilton has created his own special moment with the same historic team.
The seven-time world champion expressed how rewarding it felt to give Ferrari a pole position after the challenges and adjustments involved in beginning a new chapter with the Scuderia.
It was a particularly meaningful achievement for a driver who has already accomplished almost everything possible in Formula 1.
ANOTHER HISTORIC RECORD FOR THE SEVEN-TIME WORLD CHAMPION
Hamilton’s success in Mexico also brought another remarkable statistical achievement.
At 41 years old, he became the oldest Formula 1 pole-sitter since Mario Andretti secured pole position at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix.
His latest achievement also extended his extraordinary career record to 105 Grand Prix pole positions.
It demonstrates that Hamilton’s determination and passion for Formula 1 remain as strong as ever.
Despite the difficulties he has faced during his Ferrari journey, the British driver continues to prove that he can compete at the highest level.
His performance in Mexico was a reminder of the speed, experience and competitive mentality that made him one of the most successful drivers in the sport.
FERRARI CELEBRATES AS LECLERC SECURES THIRD
Hamilton was not the only Ferrari driver to enjoy a competitive qualifying session.
Charles Leclerc secured third position with a lap of 1:16.633, giving Ferrari two cars inside the top three.
Although Leclerc had looked particularly competitive during the early stages of Q3, he was unable to improve enough on his final attempt to challenge Hamilton for pole.
Nevertheless, the result represented an excellent opportunity for Ferrari to fight for a strong result in Sunday’s race.
Team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed his happiness with Hamilton’s achievement, describing the first Ferrari pole as an important milestone for both the driver and the team.
Ferrari will now be hoping to convert its impressive qualifying performance into a victory.
THE BIG CHALLENGE: TURNING POLE INTO VICTORY
Although Hamilton has every reason to celebrate, the most important challenge is still ahead.
Starting from pole position gives him a significant opportunity, but the Mexico City Grand Prix is famous for its demanding conditions and challenging opening corners.
The long run towards Turn 1 could create opportunities for drivers starting behind him, particularly those with strong straight-line speed and a good launch.
George Russell will start alongside Hamilton, while Leclerc will line up third.
The battle between Ferrari and Mercedes could therefore become one of the major storylines of the race.
Hamilton will need a clean start, excellent tyre management and a carefully executed strategy if he wants to turn his pole position into another memorable Ferrari victory.
A NEW CHAPTER IN HAMILTON’S FERRARI STORY
Hamilton’s first Ferrari pole position could become one of the defining moments of his time with the Scuderia.
When he joined the Italian team, expectations were enormous. Supporters wanted to see the seven-time champion return to the front and challenge for victories in one of the most famous cars in motorsport.
The journey has not always been easy, but Mexico has provided a powerful reminder of what Hamilton can achieve when everything comes together.
His extraordinary final lap, the emotional connection with Ferrari’s history and the support of the team have combined to produce a moment worth celebrating.
At 41, Hamilton has once again shown that age is not necessarily a barrier to achieving greatness in Formula 1.
For Ferrari, this is an important result. For Hamilton, it is personal.
The wait is over. The seven-time world champion is back on pole position, and this time, he has done it wearing Ferrari red.
Lewis Hamilton has made history in Mexico. Now, he will be hoping to turn that historic pole position into a memorable victory. 🏆🇬🇧❤️
Source: FIA, Formula1.com and RacingNews365.
