Mexican GP: Max Verstappen wins, Lewis Hamilton claims fifth title

The season may belong to Lewis Hamilton but the Mexican GP was owned by Max Verstappen as the Red Bull driver claimed a well-earned victory.

The Dutchman, dominant all weekend except for the closing seconds of qualifying when he lost pole to Daniel Ricciardo, beat Sebastian Vettel for a deserved triumph in an absorbing and surprisingly tense race.

After Ricciardo retired from second place with 10 laps remaining, Hamilton crossed the line in fourth place behind Kimi Raikkonen to clinch his fifth world championship.

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Mexican GP: Full race result

In the wake of an excellent drive, in which he overtook his Mercedes rival, Vettel warmly embraced Hamilton as the Englishman celebrated his record-breaking triumph.

"It doesn't feel real at the moment," said Hamilton. "It's been a very hard year and there's been so much work from everyone in the team to do what we've done, to overcome the obstacles, and obviously fight this great, great, legendary team we've been battling."

Verstappen and Vettel show their class
Verstappen has been in sublime form in Mexico and turned his frustration after qualifying into productive determination at the start of the race to out-muscle Hamilton into the first corner.

Although the Mercedes briefly held the lead as the field hurtled into the first turn, it was Verstappen - with less to lose, a point to prove and a race to win - who braked latest to take a crucial advantage.

It was quickly apparent that Hamilton had no answer to Verstappen's pace as the Red Bull hurtled into the distance. Driving superbly despite only enjoying three hours' sleep on Sunday night as he rued his qualifying near-miss, Verstappen never appeared to put a wheel off-line as he surged to his second win of the year.

"He drove an incredible race," enthused Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Only Vettel's second-half surge threatened to ruffle Verstappen's poise as the Ferrari hurtled past Ricciardo and then Hamilton into second place.

But it was too little, too late - both for the race and the championship battle.

"Max was the best driver in the race today, Lewis was the best driver this season," Vettel sportingly acknowledged. "He drove superb all year and was the better one of us two."

Classy Vettel congratulates Hamilton

Hamilton's cruise turns nervy - and 'horrible'
With only seventh place required in the event of a Vettel victory required to seal the title, it should have been a formality for Hamilton to secure the championship in the Mexico.

And once the first corner had been safely if cautiously navigated, and Raikkonen overtaken after his opening pit-stop, it appeared Hamilton was all set for a leisurely cruise to the crown.

Hamilton crowned F1 2018 world champion
Hamilton savours title 'dream'

But the Mercedes driver's radio messages became increasingly vexed as he chewed through his tyres and found himself powerless to hold off either Vettel or Ricciardo.

In the race's most alarming moment, Hamilton even slithered off track as Ricciardo fought through, triggering an immediate change of tyres as an anxious Mercedes understandably went into protection mode.

From there on, Hamilton's top-seven finish was never really in doubt, although Ricciardo's retirement, promoting the Englishman into fourth, gave his result a flattering sheen.

"It was a horrible race," a relieved Hamilton reflected. "I got a great start and was working my way up but then I really don't know what happened after that. I was just trying to hold on and bring the car home."

But it was enough - and the championship was his.

How the Mexican GP unfolded
Lap 1: Hamilton, starting from third, briefly takes the lead off the line but is out-braked into Turn One by Verstappen. Vettel holds on to fourth behind Ricciardo despite banging wheels with Bottas.

Lap 2: Raikkonen retakes sixth from Sainz after the Spaniard's rapid start off the line.

Lap 5: In the wars off the line when his McLaren is damaged by debris from a Force India, Alonso retires from the race.

Lap 12: After falling over six seconds behind Verstappen, Hamilton pits for supersofts - and is immediately followed in by Bottas.

Lap 14: A lap after team-mate Ricciardo, and two laps after Hamilton, Verstappen comes in for fresh tyres. He returns immediately behind Raikkonen.

Lap 16: Raikkonen is passed by Verstappen, but ends the lap holding up Hamilton - enabling Ricciardo to close in on the Mercedes.

Lap 17: Hamilton passes Raikkonen at Turn Four but is immediately followed through by Ricciardo.

Lap 18: Verstappen retakes the lead as Vettel pits. Hamilton edges away from Ricciardo.

Lap 30: Vettel has caught Ricciardo and has a look at overtaking the Red Bull at Turn Four.

Lap 31: A Virtual Safety Car for Sainz saves Ricciardo from another attack by Vettel along the pit-straight.

Lap 36: Job done: Vettel passes Ricciardo into Turn One. Next up: Hamilton.

Lap 39: Hamilton offers little defence to Vettel as the Ferrari charges past into second place.

Lap 47: Hamilton, repeatedly complaining about his tyres, is caught by Ricciardo and slides off track at Turn One when trying to defend. He then pits.

Lap 48: In identical fashion to his Mercedes team-mate, Bottas also runs off track as he is challenged by Hamilton. Verstappen and Vettel also pit.

Lap 60: Having held up Vettel for a series of critical laps, Ricciardo's engine expires and the Aussie is forced to park up. It's his seventh retirement in eight races.

Lap 66: Verstappen pleads with his Red Bull team to turn down his engine. Hamilton, promoted to fourth by Ricciardo's exit, is in cruise control.

Lap 71: Verstappen crosses the line for victory, followed by Vettel, Raikkonen and, as a five-time world champion, Hamilton.

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