Lewis Hamilton revives his F1 title bid by snatching pole for the Mexican Grand Prix ahead of outclassed world championship leader Nico Rosberg
Brit's faultless display leaves Mercedes rival scratching his head for third-last race of a nail-biting season
LEWIS HAMILTON reignited his F1 title defence after snatching pole position for the Mexico Grand Prix as championship leader Nico Rosberg crumbled.
Hamilton stormed to the 59th pole of his F1 career with a faultless display while Mercedes rival Rosberg will be left scratching his head.
The German, who has a 26 point lead in the championship, could win his maiden title if he wins and Hamilton finishes 10th or lower.
However, he had no answer to Hamilton's pace, despite a last-ditch flying lap that earned him second place on the grid.
Hamilton said: "It is always a tough battle trying to put in the perfect laps especially with these tyres, but the track got better and there was a bit more grip.
"There is no real tactic. I turn up to do the job. I did it in the last weekend and I will try to do the same here. The car feels great I am just looking forward to getting out on track.
"My long runs were strong in practice. In fact, Q3 was my worst session but going into tomorrow, I think we have the right set-up and strategy."
Hamilton arrived here in Mexico City in confident mood having aced the previous weekend in Austin where he had cruised to victory, albeit with a few concerns about his car's reliability.
However, there were no indications of any problems as he powered to the top of the timesheets after two early practice runs.
But while Hamilton was leaving nothing out on track, championship leader Rosberg had inexplicably been down on speed all weekend.
The German had promised in midweek than he was committed to winning this GP rather than settling for second, but he looked incredibly cautious.
Hamilton beat him in Q1 and in Q2 and then pumped in an astonishing lap in Q3 to take provisional pole that probed goo enough, while Rosberg trailed behind.
The German appeared to have no answer to the defending world champion's lap time - bar a late flurry to pip Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo.
Rosberg said: "Lewis' lap was brilliant, not so much mine. I put it together at the end to get on the front row and I am pleased because it gives me a chance.
"It has taken me a little bit longer to get used to the car but I got there in the end, so that is OK.
"I am feeling good. We have seen this year that pole position is not everything, so I just have to do what I can to get that win.
"I am looking forward. Lewis is in front of me. He is in the way if I want to race, so I am going for it."
Jenson Button was eliminated in Q2 and qualified in 13th place, two spots below his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso.
However, there was more misery for British driver Jolyon Palmer, who knows his Formula One career is hanging by a thread.
The 25-year-old from Horsham is locked in a bitter fight to earn his place in Renault's team for next season after they confirmed the arrival of Nico Hulkenberg from Force India.
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Palmer suffered damage to his chassis during final practice which meant he did not take part in qualifying and will start Sunday's race from the pitlane.
Palmer said: "Q2 was on the cards and we should have been back in there but these things happen and they are really frustrating as we have been qualifying well recently."