Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
Hamilton leads Mexican Grand Prix grid as Verstappen drops to fifth
Lewis Hamilton is set to start first at the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City.
George Russell starts second and Charles Leclerc third, ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli in fourth.
Max Verstappen drops from fourth to fifth after a one-place penalty for a practice collision with Liam Lawson.
Lawson could be sent to the back after his Racing Bulls team was called to the stewards over an MGU-K infringement, which could lead to disqualification from qualifying.
Valtteri Bottas is set to start last after a 50-place penalty for taking fresh engine components, as well as recording the slowest qualifying time.
The grid is provisional, and Lawson’s position may change after the stewards’ decision.
Lewis Hamilton will start the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix from pole position, with George Russell alongside him on the front row.
Max Verstappen is set to start fifth after receiving a one-place penalty for his practice collision with Liam Lawson.
Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli will start third and fourth, ahead of Verstappen.
Valtteri Bottas is listed 22nd after Cadillac received a 50-place penalty for changing power-unit components.
The sources differ on Lawson’s status: one lists him ninth but says a possible disqualification is being considered, while the other lists him ninth after a one-place penalty.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton is set to start from pole, ahead of George Russell.
- What
- The starting grid for the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix has been set, with penalties affecting Verstappen, Lawson and Bottas.
- When
- The race date is not stated. The grid was reported on October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
- Why
- Verstappen received a one-place penalty after a practice collision with Lawson. Bottas received a 50-place penalty for power-unit component changes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Verstappen and Lawson collided, leading to a one-place grid penalty for each driver.
Hamilton secured pole position, his 105th, and his first Ferrari pole.
Reports listed the provisional starting grid, with Verstappen fifth and Bottas 22nd.
Racing Bulls was called to the stewards over an MGU-K infringement involving Lawson; one source said disqualification from qualifying was a likely penalty.
- Pole position
- Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
- Front row
- Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
- Verstappen's grid position
- Fifth, after a one-place penalty
- Bottas's grid position
- 22nd, after a 50-place penalty
- Lawson's listed position
- Ninth in both published grids
- Circuit
- Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City