Hamilton: First Ferrari pole reminds me of Michael Schumacher’s success

RED ROAR: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates pole position following qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City.

Lewis Hamilton says claiming a first pole for Ferrari evoked memories of watching Michael Schumacher dominating for the Scuderia.

The 41-year-old earned his first pole position in over three years, since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023 – 1,197 days ago – in Mexico City.

Hamilton began this weekend by doubling down on his vow to be racing into the 2030s, declaring that Formula One has “never had anyone like me”.

Hamilton believes he is still matching the youngest drivers on the grid and showed all of his enduring quality to pip former Mercedes team-mate George Russell to pole by just 0.009 seconds.

“My first Ferrari pole, I mean jeez it takes me back to watching Michael (Schumacher) get all those poles for Ferrari and all those wins,” Hamilton, who has previously claimed sprint pole for the team, said.

“It is very, very special.” The seven-time world champion became the oldest F1 pole-sitter since 42-year-old Mario Andretti in 1982.

His desire to race in Africa, with a race announced in Rwanda in the “early 2030s” has seen him vow to still be competing at the top level for years to come.

Hamilton remains mathematically in the title picture, 124 points adrift of leader Kimi Antonelli – who will secure his place as F1’s youngest world champion by finishing ninth or better on Sunday.

Antonelli is 21 years Hamilton’s junior. Asked how he is still delivering at 41, Hamilton said: “When there’s a will there’s a way!

“It’s all in the mind for all of us. You might feel aches and pains, luckily I don’t.

“That love is not gone. I wake up every day thinking about it, I dream about it.” The British driver claimed his first win for Ferrari in Barcelona in June and is delighted to now have a pole to his name to repay the faith from the team.

“We just held on to that belief that one day we will get back on to the front row and P1,” Hamilton added.

“It was a really clean lap – I needed it because Charles was three tenths up the road. But I knew areas I could improve on.

“It’s just my belief in this team, the opportunity they have given me and the faith they have shown in me.” Antonelli will start from fourth as he bids to celebrate the title with a fiesta on Sunday. The Italian was fifth fastest but gained a place due to a penalty for Max Verstappen.

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez features the longest run down to turn one on the F1 calendar and Hamilton will have Russell and team-mate Charles Leclerc – who starts third – filling his mirrors.

“It is a long way down to turn one – I don’t think I have ever been on pole here,” Hamilton said.

“I think the others have a new tyre for the start but to have pole here, it feels special to be here in Mexico and (pole position) 105, I like that number.”