Lewis Hamilton will start the Mexico City Grand Prix from pole position, but his thoughts after qualifying also turned to the driver who could be crowned world champion behind him. The Ferrari driver praised Kimi Antonelli and said he hopes the two of them will finally get to fight wheel to wheel next season.

Antonelli took over Hamilton's seat at Mercedes, and the Briton spoke fondly of the "little kid" he remembers standing at the back of the garage. GPblog has already analysed Hamilton's pole lap and his Schumacher reflection. His comments on Antonelli came on the eve of a race that could make the Italian champion.

Hamilton hopes for real battles with Antonelli

Hamilton did not frame Antonelli's possible title as a threat to his own legacy. "I think it's really, really great to see. And also, records are there to be broken, you know," the seven-time world champion said.

Hamilton also called what Antonelli is achieving "phenomenal". He was frank about the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes this season, explaining that the two had hardly met on track.

The Ferrari driver added that he wants to make it harder for Antonelli in 2027. "So, I hope next year that we're able to give him a bit more of a fight and get it really down to race craft. And, yeah, I'll be so happy for him," Hamilton said.

This is not the first time Hamilton has praised the young Italian. Earlier this week, GPblog revealed how Hamilton has shared his insight into Antonelli's rise through Mercedes' ranks.

In March, Antonelli became the youngest driver to take pole for a full Grand Prix, in China, at 19 years, six months and 17 days. At the time, Hamilton said: "It's going to take a while for someone to ever get close to that one."

Antonelli is one step away from becoming F1's youngest champion

Antonelli starts fourth after Max Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty. He needs to finish ninth or higher to clinch the title. That would make him the youngest champion in Formula 1 history at 20 years old. Hamilton is 124 points behind with only 100 points left to win after Mexico, and George Russell is 123 points behind.

The weekend has not been easy for the Mercedes driver. Antonelli missed Thursday's media day through illness and admitted he had felt "tense" in Mexico City.

Hamilton, meanwhile, has his own goal for Sunday. After his first Ferrari pole, he thanked his supporters around the world and said: "I hope that I can deliver for them tomorrow."