Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton (right) poses with Mexico's national football team head coach Rafael Marquez after securing pole position during the Mexican Grand Prix qualifying session. (AFP pic)MEXICO CITY: Lewis Hamilton edged George Russell on Saturday to take pole position for the Mexican Grand Prix.

As Hamilton grabbed his first pole position since 2023, his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc was third while championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who only needs to finish ninth on Sunday to ensure he clinches the world title, was fifth fastest in his Mercedes.

The Italian will start from fourth because Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who was fourth fastest, had already been handed a one-place grid penalty for a collision with Liam Lawson in practice on Friday.