Lewis Hamilton will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position after claiming his first pole for Ferrari on Saturday. George Russell missed out by just 0.009 seconds, and championship leader Kimi Antonelli will start fourth after grid penalties. The race starts at 23:00 EAT tonight, Sunday 1 November 2026, and Antonelli can be crowned Formula 1 world champion.
Mexico City Grand Prix Qualifying: Hamilton Edges Russell
Hamilton set a lap of 1:16.514 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez to take a pole position that many thought might never come in red. Russell was agonisingly close for Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc third in the second Ferrari.
Max Verstappen and Antonelli completed the top five in qualifying, but the grid will look slightly different. Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty after a collision in second practice, which moves Antonelli up to fourth and drops the Dutchman to fifth.
Mexico City qualifying top 10
- 1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1:16.514
- 2. George Russell (Mercedes), +0.009
- 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), +0.119
- 4. Max Verstappen, +0.178
- 5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), +0.193
- 6. Lando Norris
- 7. Isack Hadjar
- 8. Liam Lawson
- 9. Arvid Lindblad
- 10. Pierre Gasly
Oscar Piastri had a difficult session and was knocked out in Q2. Fernando Alonso was reprimanded by the stewards after stopping on track in Q1 and not refitting his steering wheel, which caused a red flag.
How Antonelli Can Win the Title Tonight
Antonelli arrives in Mexico with a commanding lead in the drivers’ championship, and only Russell and Hamilton can still mathematically catch him. The scenarios for tonight are simple:
- If anyone other than Russell or Hamilton wins the race, Antonelli is champion.
- If Russell wins, Antonelli needs to finish ninth or higher.
- If Hamilton wins, Antonelli needs to finish tenth or higher.
In short, Hamilton would need to win and Antonelli would need to score no points at all for the title fight to continue. Starting from fourth, the young Italian is in a strong position to finish the job. For the background to his remarkable season, read our Mexico City Grand Prix preview.
Why Hamilton’s Pole Matters
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has not always gone to plan, so this pole will mean a great deal to him and to the team. If he converts it into a win, he keeps the championship alive for at least one more race, although Antonelli would only need a single point to make that irrelevant.
Race Time in Kenya
The Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 14:00 local time, which is 23:00 EAT on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Kenyan fans can expect the race to finish shortly after midnight. Check the official Formula 1 schedule for more details.
Betting Angle
Pole position is a big advantage in Mexico, but the long run to the first corner often creates overtaking chances. Hamilton, Russell and Leclerc all start ahead of Antonelli, so a podium for the championship leader is far from certain. For football tips on a busy Sunday, visit the JetBet predictions page.
FAQ
Who is on pole for the Mexico City Grand Prix 2026?
Lewis Hamilton is on pole for Ferrari, his first pole position with the team, with George Russell second.
What time is the Mexico City Grand Prix in Kenya?
The race starts at 23:00 EAT on Sunday, 1 November 2026.
Can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 title in Mexico?
Yes. Antonelli is champion unless Russell or Hamilton wins the race and he also finishes outside the required positions.
Where does Antonelli start in Mexico?
Antonelli starts fourth after Max Verstappen’s one-place grid penalty.
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