Lewis Hamilton 'lost for words' after landing major Ferrari milestone

Lewis Hamilton was left "lost for words" after claiming pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix, his first pole for Ferrari.

It was Hamilton's team-mate Charles Leclerc who entered qualifying arguably as the favourite, having topped first and second practice.

Hamilton's route to the final part of qualifying was far from smooth, with a mistake on his first lap in Q2 leaving the veteran needing a big lap to avoid an embarrassing exit.

He navigated the tricky situation but then delivered a disappointing opening lap at the start of Q3. However, fitted with new soft tyres, Hamilton unlocked exceptional pace right at the death of qualifying.

The 41-year-old denied George Russell pole by just 0.009s to become the oldest pole-sitter since Mario Andretti at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix, while also extending his own record for the most poles in F1.

Hamilton was elated after securing pole at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, particularly as he moved on to another career milestone.

"That felt great! That feels good!" said Hamilton. "I'm so happy. I'm lost for words. It's been a really challenging weekend.

"FP1 we had an [aero] rake running and an engine issue yesterday, which meant we were on the back foot and I didn't get to do a long run.

"But we've done a really good job with the setup. We learned a lot from the last race. It's so close between us all. For example, in Q2, I didn't get my lap in at the beginning.

"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."

How Lewis Hamilton continues to push at 41

Claiming an F1 pole at 41 years old is a remarkable achievement for Hamilton, who recently hinted that he could continue until he is 44 in order to enter the African Grand Prix in Rwanda. 

The hunger and determination as not gone from the Ferrari driver, who expressed after securing pole how he continues to push on.

"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," added Hamilton.

"I spar a lot and do all those different things you do to try to keep yourself young and fit but I love what I do. That love is not gone. I wake up every day thinking about it, I dream about it.

"I’ve got this amazing support around the world. These guys keep me going, so I hope they’re happy with that today and I hope I can deliver for them tomorrow."