Lewis Hamilton wins his Fourth world title
Lewis Hamilton (32) of Mercedes wins fourth world title at Mexican Grand Prix, eclipsing Sir Jackie Stewart’s record to become Britain’s most successful Formula 1 driver ever. He is currently behind Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of seven titles. Hamilton won his 62nd in 205 races.
Earlier Hamilton was hit by title rival Sebastian Vettel on the opening lap of the Mexican GP but secured the championship after fighting back into the points while the Ferrari diver only finished fourth having suffered front wing damage and punctured the rear-right tyre of Lewis Hamilton. Both Hamilton and Vettel were forced to pit at the end of the first lap but Hamilton emerged a further 30 seconds behind the Ferrari and fought back into the top ten and crossed the line in ninth.
Sebastian Vettel congratulated Hamilton and said “ Lewis had done a superb job all year round and deserves to win the title.”
The race was won by Max Verstappen, his second victory of the season in the Red Bull, but Vettel’s recovery from 19th to fourth was insufficient to continue his challenge;
Hamilton wanted to seal a win in style at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez but that was almost out of his hands after the first lap incident.
This fourth title after winning for McLaren I 2008, and twice for Mercedes in 2014 and 2015 .
1 M Verstappen Red Bull 1:36:265.552 25
2 V Bottas Mercedes +19.678s 18
3 K Raikkonen Ferrari +54.007s 15
4 S Vettel Ferrari +70.078s 12
5 E Ocon Force India = 1 Lap 10