Verstappen starts GP Mexico in fifth after penalty, Antonelli begins title race in fourth

Max Verstappen struggled in Q3, missing a time improvement due to a mistake, while Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole in three years as a Ferrari driver. George Russell qualified second, and Charles Leclerc took third. Antonelli, who needs a top-nine finish to become the youngest world champion, qualified fifth but moves up due to Verstappen's penalty. Verstappen received a grid penalty for a collision with Liam Lawson, who also received a penalty and starts ninth. Oscar Piastri had a disappointing Q2 exit, finishing thirteenth, while Lando Norris qualified sixth. Ryo Hirakawa debuted for Haas, qualifying nineteenth. The race starts Sunday at 21:00 Dutch time.