MEXICO CITY :Lewis Hamilton said he was perfectly placed to secure a first podium with Ferrari, after qualifying third in Mexico on Saturday, and planned an aggressive start with nothing to lose.

The seven times world champion, who joined the Italian team in January from Mercedes, enjoyed his best qualifying in 20 races this season with teammate Charles Leclerc just ahead in second place.

"This is the first time we've both been up in the top three in qualifying this year and the team truly deserves it," said Hamilton, enjoying being back in a post-qualifying press conference.

"P3 (third on the grid) is kind of the perfect spot actually at this track, so I'm hoping I can make the most of that at the start. I think our race pace is not too bad."

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