Hamilton doubtful on Mexico pole "unless it rains"

Lewis Hamilton says he doesn't know if Mercedes will take another pole position this season, as Ferrari look to have the better of it on Saturdays since the summer break. Perhaps surprisingly, Hamilton has taken just four pole positions this season, the last one being at the German Grand Prix. Following the summer break, Charles Leclerc took four pole positions in a row, with his teammate Sebastian Vettel lining up P1 last time out in Japan.

Hamilton has all but wrapped up his sixth drivers' title in 2019, needing to outscore Valtteri Bottas by 14 points to take the title.

However, with Ferrari looking good in recent races and Red Bull usually strong in Mexico, Hamilton may have his work cut out on both Saturday and Sunday if he wants to score enough points to take the title.

He said in Thursday's pre-race press conference: "I don't know when we will win another pole, unless it rains. 

"As we have seen in the last races, however, the qualification is not always fundamental. It is more important to be fast during the race. This has been a favorable track for Ferrari and Red Bull in the past. We have improved the understanding of the car and maybe we can be in the game this weekend."

The Brit also says that it will be tough for him to win the title this season, given Bottas' form this season: "I don't remember if I ever beat Valtteri by 14 points this season. Maybe it will have happened once. He has been a tough opponent all year round and I am sure he will be very strong this weekend too".