Hamilton secures 4th F1 title; Verstappen wins in Mexico

Finally, after a race that saw some very tough maneuvering, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes secured his fourth Formula One win as he came in 9^th in the Mexican Grand Prix. The race winner was Red Bull’s young Max Verstappen who recorded his third Grand Prix win. Polesitter Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari managed a 4^th position. 

Hamilton and Vettel came together at the start, dropping both men to the back, and though the Ferrari driver recovered to fourth, Hamilton’s 2 points from his 9^th standing was good enough to wrap things up with two rounds to go. Vettel needed 16 points to maintain his title hopes, and that meant second place, which was taken away by Valtteri Bottas.

Verstappen shared the podium with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas (2^nd) and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen (3^rd). They were followed by Vettel, Esteban Ocon of Force India,  Williams’ Lance Stroll, Sergo Perez of Force India, Haas’s Kevin Magnussen, Hamilton and McLaren’s Fernando Alonso to make up the first ten in the race..

Sahara Force India scored 16 points in the Mexican Grand Prix as the team secured fourth place in the Constructors’ World Championship for a second consecutive year.

Max Verstappen’s end of season form continues to go from strength to strength as he took the dominant win in Mexico City. The Dutchman led from the third corner after a dramatic collision involving title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.  Hamilton suffered a puncture in the smash but recovered from last place to finish ninth and claim his fourth world title ahead of Vettel, who crossed the line in fourth.

With all the drama behind him, Verstappen cruised to the chequered flag in front of Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen and added to his previous victories in Spain last year and Malaysia earlier in October.

Even though Verstappen dominated the race to score a resounding win, but then all eyes were inevitably on the two title seekers Vettel and Hamilton as they touched on the opening lap. The story thereafter was not just about the Dutchman’s superb victory but a lot on how Hamilton recovered from last place to win the coveted title.