Hamilton takes Mexico City pole as Verstappen drops to fifth

Lewis Hamilton took pole for the Mexico City Grand Prix by just 0.009 seconds, while Max Verstappen qualified fourth and will start fifth after a one-place grid penalty.

Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, edged Mercedes’ George Russell in qualifying at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli set the fifth-fastest time but moves up to fourth as Verstappen drops back.

Antonelli needs only to finish in the top nine on Sunday to become Formula 1’s youngest world champion. Verstappen, meanwhile, had to abandon a late flying lap after moving off the racing line to avoid traffic in the final sector. The Red Bull driver had been on a potentially pole-winning lap, according to ANP.