Hamilton savours first Ferrari pole after edging Russell in Mexico

Just nine thousandths of a second separated Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in Mexico qualifying. Hamilton took pole and said he was delighted, describing the margins as exceptionally close and saying he did not know what to say.

Hamilton said he had not fully put his Q2 lap together and noted that other drivers had an extra set for the start. He described Friday as difficult: engine problems left him on the back foot and prevented him from doing long runs. Hamilton said Ferrari had done good work on the set-up during the sessions and learned a lot from the previous race.

Hamilton thought he had never previously taken pole in Mexico, but that belief was mistaken. The pole was his first with Ferrari.