Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position, with Ferrari securing a remarkable front-row advantage after a dramatic qualifying session that ended with Liam Lawson being disqualified. The seven-time world champion will lead the field for the first time in Mexico in three years, while his achievement marks his 105th career pole position and his first with Ferrari.
Hamilton’s return to the front of the grid is a major moment for both the driver and the Scuderia. After enduring difficult periods since joining the Italian team, securing pole provides a powerful reminder of what he can still deliver when the machinery and circumstances come together. George Russell will start alongside him in second, while Charles Leclerc completes Ferrari’s strong qualifying performance in third. With two Ferrari-powered cars in the top three, the team has a significant opportunity to control the race from the opening laps.
FERRARI AND MERCEDES SET UP A MAJOR BATTLE
Hamilton’s pole position puts him in a strong position, but the challenge ahead will be far from straightforward. Russell starts second and will have an immediate opportunity to attack the Ferrari into the opening corners. Leclerc, meanwhile, will be looking to turn third place into another strong result for the team.
Mercedes also has an important advantage through Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who starts fourth. The young Italian enters the race with the possibility of securing his first Formula 1 world championship, making every position and every point particularly important.
The opening lap could therefore have major consequences for both the race victory and the championship. Hamilton will want a clean getaway, while Russell and Leclerc will be determined not to allow the Ferrari driver to establish control too early.
VERSTAPPEN STARTS FIFTH AFTER GRID PENALTY
Max Verstappen will begin the race from fifth after receiving a one-place grid penalty following his FP2 incident with Liam Lawson. The Red Bull driver had qualified fourth, but the penalty moved him behind Antonelli.
Lando Norris starts sixth, followed by Isack Hadjar in seventh. Arvid Lindblad will line up eighth for Racing Bulls, with Pierre Gasly ninth and Nico Hulkenberg completing the top ten.
For Verstappen, starting fifth creates an immediate challenge. He will need to find a way past several competitive cars if he wants to fight for the podium, while the long run towards Turn 1 could offer an early opportunity to gain positions.
LIAM LAWSON DISQUALIFIED AND SENT TO THE BACK
The biggest disappointment of qualifying belongs to Lawson, who initially secured eighth place but was subsequently disqualified after Racing Bulls failed to comply with the FIA’s MGU-K deployment requirements.
According to the stewards, evidence showed that Lawson did not immediately lift off the power after crossing the control line at the end of his fastest Q2 lap. As a result, the required reduction in MGU-K deployment, known as the regulated step down, was not achieved.
Racing Bulls argued that the breach did not provide a performance advantage. However, the stewards made clear that a technical infringement remains a violation regardless of whether it produces a competitive benefit.
The ruling stated that the team had self-reported the breach, but existing precedents required disqualification when a car failed to comply with the technical regulations. Lawson was therefore removed from the qualifying classification and will start the race from 22nd position.
It is another damaging setback for the New Zealander after his earlier clash with Verstappen resulted in a separate grid penalty. His chances of recovering a strong result have now become considerably more difficult.
BOTTAS ALSO FACES A BACK-OF-THE-GRID START
Valtteri Bottas will join Lawson at the back after Cadillac received a 50-place grid penalty following extensive power-unit component changes.
The team fitted a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, energy store, control electronics unit and MGU-K. The resulting penalty leaves Bottas in 21st, with Lawson occupying the final position.
For Cadillac, the decision reflects the difficult compromises teams sometimes face when managing power-unit reliability and component allocations. For Bottas, it means another race in which he will have to fight through traffic rather than compete from a more favourable starting position.
FULL 2026 MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX STARTING GRID
Position| Driver| Team
1| Lewis Hamilton| Ferrari
2| George Russell| Mercedes
3| Charles Leclerc| Ferrari
4| Kimi Antonelli| Mercedes
5| Max Verstappen| Red Bull
6| Lando Norris| McLaren
7| Isack Hadjar| Red Bull
8| Arvid Lindblad| Racing Bulls
9| Pierre Gasly| Alpine
10| Nico Hulkenberg| Audi
11| Franco Colapinto| Alpine
12| Oscar Piastri| McLaren
13| Gabriel Bortoleto| Audi
14| Oliver Bearman| Haas
15| Carlos Sainz| Williams
16| Alex Albon| Williams
17| Fernando Alonso| Aston Martin
18| Ryo Hirakawa| Haas
19| Lance Stroll| Aston Martin
20| Sergio Perez| Cadillac
21| Valtteri Bottas| Cadillac
22| Liam Lawson| Racing Bulls
HAMILTON HAS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER FOR FERRARI
Hamilton’s pole position has created an exciting opportunity for Ferrari, but converting it into victory will require a clean start, strong tyre management and a disciplined race strategy. Mercedes has two drivers close behind, while Verstappen remains a serious threat despite starting fifth.
The biggest question is whether Ferrari can turn its qualifying advantage into a race-winning performance. Hamilton has the experience to manage pressure at the front, but Russell and Leclerc will not make life easy for him.
Lawson’s disqualification has also added another storyline to an already dramatic weekend. While Hamilton prepares to lead the field, the Racing Bulls driver faces the difficult task of recovering from the final position.
Mexico City now promises a fascinating contest, with Hamilton chasing a major Ferrari victory, Antonelli fighting for a potential championship breakthrough and Verstappen looking to recover lost ground. The starting positions are settled, but the biggest battles are still ahead.
