Oscar Piastri will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from 13th after a shock Q2 exit, while Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position for Ferrari.
The Australian was knocked out in the second segment of qualifying at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after losing nearly half a second through the Esses in the middle sector with a lack of rear grip, Autosport reported.
Piastri’s best Q2 lap was a 1:17.646, according to PlanetF1’s qualifying results, about nine-tenths slower than McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was quickest in Q2.
Hamilton edges Russell by 0.009s
Hamilton beat George Russell by just 0.009s to give Ferrari its first pole of the 2026 season, with Charles Leclerc third, 0.119s behind his teammate, according to the official qualifying classification.
Max Verstappen qualified fourth but will start fifth after a one-place grid penalty for an on-track clash with Liam Lawson in Friday practice. Lawson qualified eighth and drops to ninth, promoting Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad to eighth.
Read more: Kimi Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix but F1 Title Wait Goes to Mexico
Antonelli one step from the title
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified fifth for Mercedes after a muted session, while Norris was sixth after failing to put a clean lap together in the top-10 shootout.
Antonelli holds a 123-point lead over Russell and a 124-point lead over Hamilton, and will be crowned world champion if he finishes ninth or higher, The Independent reported. If he doesn’t, Russell or Hamilton must win the race to take the title fight to Brazil.
Read more: Kimi Antonelli Misses Mexico GP Media Day With Viral Illness
Elsewhere on the grid
Isack Hadjar qualified seventh for Red Bull after running off at Turn 13. Fernando Alonso’s session ended in Q1 when his Aston Martin stopped with a power unit issue, bringing out the red flag, while Valtteri Bottas will start from the back after taking a fifth power unit.
The race starts at 8pm UK time on Sunday, which is 7am AEDT on Monday, 2 November.
More News
