Hamilton reaches first pole by Ferrari and Antonelli near the title

O lewis Hamilton today won the first pole position for Ferrari, qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix, 19th round of the Formula One World Championship, in which Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) can become a champion.

Hamilton completed his best return to Autodrome Hermanos Rodríguez in 1.16.514 minutes, surpassing compatriot George Russell (Mercedes), second ranked, for 0.009 seconds and Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), third, for 0.119 seconds.

The world hepta champion rose to 105 his record pole positions in Formula 1, also ensuring the first Ferrari this season.

“ I'm so glad. I am speechless,” Hamilton said, after a qualification in which he surpassed Russell in the final attempt, after a weekend conditioned by motor problems in training and a mistake in the final phase of qualification, which almost threw the effort by land.

The Dutch Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished fourth at 0.178 seconds, but will lose a spot on the grid due to penalty for an incident with the New Zealander Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) during training.

The sanction allows Antonelli, fifth in qualification, to 0.193 seconds from Hamilton, from the fourth post, in a race where it only adds two points to ensure the first world title.

The 20-year-old Italian will be champion if he finishes among the top nine, regardless of the results of the opponents. If Hamilton wins, he'll only have 10th place, while a triumph of any other pilot other than Russell or Hamilton will give him the title without scoring.

Antonelli may thus become the newest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing German Sebastian Vettel, who won the first title in 2010, at the age of 23.

Russell, who will share the first line with Hamilton, was “satisfied with the recovery achieved” in the decisive phase of qualification, after difficulties over the weekend.

Already Leclerc lamented not having been able to “put the tires in the ideal temperature and enjoy the last attempt”, although he considered the third place a “favorable position for the race”.

The session was also marked by the participation of Japanese Ryo Hirakawa, who replaced French Esteban Ocon in Haas and will make the running debut on Sunday in Formula 1 at 32.

Winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022 and world resistance champion in 2022 and 2023, by Toyota, Hirakawa finished qualifying in 19th place. Haas announced the replacement without disclosing the motive.

Among the examples of late debuts in the sport is the British Damon Hill, who began competing in Formula 1 at the age of 31 in 1992, and became world champion at 36 in 1996 by Williams.

Antonelli leads the championship with 365 points, more 123 than Russell, second, while Hamilton ranks third, with 241.

The Mexican Grand Prix is held on Sunday, with 71 laps to the Hermanos Rodríguez racetrack.