The key facts

  • Lawson qualified ninth but will lose the result due to a technical violation
  • Hamilton took the 105th pole of his career and his first for Ferrari
  • Lawson and Verstappen had earlier received one-place grid penalties for an incident in Friday practice

Lawson sent to the back of the starting grid

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson will start Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix from the back row: his Saturday qualifying result has been annulled for technical reasons, AFP reports. The 24-year-old New Zealander, fighting to keep his seat with the team for the 2027 season, set the ninth-fastest time, outqualifying his teammate Arvid Lindblad.

The nature of the violation

According to the stewards, on the exit of the final corner at the end of a fast lap in the second segment of qualifying, when Lawson's battery was already depleted, the output of his power unit fell outside the regulations. The rules require electrical power to be reduced in a controlled and gradual manner rather than abruptly; in the stewards' view, Lawson 'did not drop the power immediately' as expected. All of his laps were removed from the protocol.

Pole for Hamilton, scandals in the paddock

Qualifying was won by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari: it is his 105th pole — a new record — and his first with the Italian team. Max Verstappen starts fifth. The day before, Lawson and Verstappen collided in Friday practice, for which both received a one-place grid penalty; on Saturday morning Lawson apologized to the Dutchman. He also complained that his pole attack was spoiled by Lando Norris, who was driving slowly along the racing line, causing him to lock his wheels and lose time. 'When I saw his car on the right, I couldn't believe my eyes. I was fighting for pole,' AFP quotes Verstappen as saying.

Verstappen backs Hadjar

Verstappen also came to the defense of his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar, who was officially reprimanded for pushing away a persistent fan demanding a selfie in the paddock on Friday. 'I understand his reaction. It is incredibly annoying when people touch you without asking… I have compared the paddock to a zoo — and this is what letting that many people in leads to,' said the Dutchman. Hadjar himself expressed relief at getting off with a reprimand: 'Fair enough. I'm going to work. This is not a reality show.'