Lewis Hamilton has vowed to be “pretty aggressive” from third on the grid at the start of the Mexico City Grand Prix as he bids to use his best qualifying result in Ferrari to achieve an “amazing” first podium for the team.
The seven-time world champion starts from the second row, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc, at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with Ferrari’s closest challenge to impressive pole vaulter Lando Norris, who qualified two-tenths of a second clear on a day when his two title rivals stumbled.
Hamilton has endured a challenging first season at Ferrari and heads into Sunday’s race, the 20th round of the campaign, yet to finish a Grand Prix higher than fourth for them.
But now back in the top three in qualifying for the first time in 13 months, Hamilton believes there are finally signs of real progress.
“I’m so happy to be up there in the top three,” Hamilton said after scoring his best start to the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
“It’s taken me all year to get here, so it’s been a serious mountain to climb. But I’ve finally bought into everything around me and I think me and my engineers are really starting to get performance out of the car, so I’m really, really happy.”
“Honestly, it’s been a tough year and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to get here, but it’s okay. What’s important is the journey and I’ve grown a lot through it.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Does Hamilton really hold the best spot on the grid for the start?
While the impressive Norris ultimately proved too strong for Ferrari, Leclerc beat Hamilton by 0.090 seconds to qualify as the Scuderia’s leading car in second place.
However, Hamilton believes he could be the Ferrari driver with a more desirable second row grid seat.
This is because third is on the left side of the grid, a cleaner racing line, and the fact that, at 830m, the run to the first corner of the Autodrome Hermanos Rodriguez is one of the longest of the season and therefore allows for slipstreaming opportunities to follow the cars.
Polester haven’t led on the opening lap in Mexico for two years, while Max Verstappen famously shot from third on the grid to first ahead of Hamilton and then Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas at the start of 2021.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
First round of the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix as Max Verstappen takes the lead and Yuki Tsunoda falls.
Hamilton said: “I was P2 (on the grid) for a moment but the inside isn’t really that nice, it’s quite dirty inside so I’m quite grateful to be third and hopefully I can take advantage of that.
“Obviously Charles has a new (soft) tyre, same as Lando, but still P3 I think is not a bad position to start here because you can pull. So I’ll be quite aggressive, I want to go some way forward tomorrow.”
Speaking at a press conference, Hamilton added: “I definitely want to be sharp.
“I’ve got nothing to lose, but he (Norris) has. So I’m going to be pretty aggressive, I’m pretty sure.”
“And hopefully we’ll be close enough to put up a good fight.”
And while aware of the potential pitfalls of starting on the dirt side of the grid, Leclerc is also aiming for an aggressive start as he expects Norris to have a strong race pace as well.
“I think (Norris) will be very strong, for sure,” Leclerc said.
“But the beginning is definitely an opportunity to try to make something special.”
“Even though I’m starting second here on the dirt side of the track, I’m not sure it’s great, but it’s OK.”
“I’ll just focus on what I can control and hopefully that will be enough to be next to him in Turn One.”
Ski Sports F1 Mexico City Grand Prix schedule
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments that took place at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Sunday, October 26
18.30: Grand Prix Sunday: Opening of the Mexico City Grand Prix*
20:00: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRICA*
22:00: Checkered flag: Mexico City Grand Prix reaction
*also in the Ski Sports main event
The thrilling race for the Formula 1 title continues at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday with lights out at 8pm, live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event. Stream Ski Sports from NOW – no contract, cancel anytime