Lewis Hamilton wins fourth world title after dramatic Mexican Grand Prix

It was hardly what you would call a champion’s flourish, but Lewis Hamilton cared not one iota last night as he joined the giants of Formula One with his fourth world title. In the midst of Mexico’s Day of the Dead festival, it had appeared as if malevolent spirits were aligning to deprive him, when he punctured a tyre in an opening-lap scrap with Sebastian Vettel, his only championship rival. But cussed resistance, allied to Vettel’s failure to seize the second place he needed, ensured his coronation as Britain’s most decorated ever driver.

Even the greats have their off-days, and this was emphatically one of Hamilton’s. With his eyes on a precious prize, a third-corner shunt with Vettel had dropped him to the back of the field, threatening to defer his march to glory for another fortnight at least. But the German’s chances, too, had been holed below the waterline.

After an emergency pit-stop, he battled belligerently to surge from 18^th to fourth, but it was not enough to dent Hamilton’s advantage. This raw homegrown talent, who grew up idolising Ayrton Senna on the wrong side of the tracks in Stevenage, now finds his name inscribed among the immortals.

Not since Brazil 2013 had Hamilton taken the chequered flag in so lowly a spot as ninth. But it was the best feeling of coming ninth he could possibly have wished for. As he crossed the line over a lap behind winner Max Verstappen, he put his hands to his visor, spent by the stress of it all.

Trailing the Union flag from the cockpit, he was almost too emotional to speak. In a noble gesture, Vettel followed him a few metres back to applaud. Theirs has been a fearsome back-and-forth this year but it has, save for the odd contretemps, been conducted in a spirit of mutual appreciation.

His mother, Carmen, sitting at the back of the Mercedes garage, could scarcely bear to watch as he inched his way through a tightly-bunched midfield, but the smile playing on her lips hinted that she already knew the outcome. Vettel was driving like a man possessed to deny Hamilton, but when Ferrari told him that he had a 23-second gap to bridge to Kimi Raikkonen in third, he all but gave up the fight. “Mamma mia,” he said. “That’s a little bit too much.”

Hamilton has ascended to an exalted gang of five, moving alongside Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost and, yes, Vettel himself with this quadruple triumph. He even indulged in a wonderful late skirmish with Fernando Alonso, his former nemesis at McLaren, for old times’ sake. Here were arguably the two purest racers of their generation, together at last.   

It was the opening act, though, that all but sabotaged Hamilton’s day. So long is the main straight here at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, it is a scene made for drama on the ragged edge. As many had predicted, a front row of Vettel and Verstappen – who had collided in Singapore six weeks earlier – was akin to throwing bicarbonate of soda into a vat of vinegar. With the title-chasing Hamilton behind them, the trio ran three abreast on the 800-metre run down to Turn One, inviting a crash.

Vettel, with grisly inevitability, was squeezed by Verstappen on the exit from Turn Three, and chaos reigned, the German clipping Hamilton with a force that shredded his nose cone and punctured his rival’s right rear tyre. “I’ve got a flat,” screamed Hamilton, forced into a pit-stop that brought him out dead last, just behind Vettel. The likelihood had always been that these two would wage a fierce confrontation all race – but nobody expected it to be at the back of the field.

Hamilton was audibly flustered, even conveying suspicions of skulduggery to race engineer Pete Bonnington. “Did he hit me deliberately?” he asked. “Not sure, Lewis,” came the reply. He knew better than anybody the fiendish difficulty of dragging himself back into contention on a high-downforce track where bold overtakes have traditionally been as rare as hen’s teeth.

By lap 22, he had made up not a single place, and suffered the unheard-of indignity of being shown a waved blue flag to let the leader Verstappen past. Soon enough, he had to do the same for his team-mate Bottas. “I can’t get close to a car,” he protested, still stuck behind Renault’s Carlos Sainz. “It’s crazy to be fighting from his position.”

Vettel had problems of his own. Desperate to make hay while the sun shone, he jousted with Felipe Massa, at one stage finding all four wheels off the track. “Seriously, is it fun to push the other guy off?” he demanded of his garage. “I had my nose in front.” “Stay focused, Sebastian,” his team said. “I am focused,” he snapped.

It seemed as much from his daredevil manoeuvring, as Vettel wove his way up the order with the audacity he had shown several times this season, most memorably in Canada and Malaysia. By halfway, he was setting fastest laps for fun, up to seventh before a virtual safety car, called after Brendan Hartley’s Toro Rosso caught fire, intervened.

Second, though, was beyond even Vettel’s powers of sorcery. Verstappen had spread out the field at the front, courtesy of some lightning Red Bull pace, and when Hamilton sprung past Alonso for ninth, the equation was settled. Vettel needed nothing less than victory to sustain the fight as far as Brazil, but Verstappen, the brilliant young Dutchman toasting his second win in four races, would not hear of it.

The hour belonged to Hamilton, and he celebrated with gusto, burning some rubber with a few neatly-executed doughnuts inside the circuit’s stadium section, where vast crowds had gathered to acclaim hometown hero Sergio Pérez. When at last he emerged from the car, he was chased back to the paddock by fans desperate to lay a hand on the champion. After seven months of strain, the party could begin in earnest.

9:09PM

That start

Does anyone else suspect that Vettel v Verstappen v Hamilton is a battle we will hear more of next season?

9:04PM

Those all important classifications

9:00PM

Our champion loves a donut

8:59PM

Okay, then...

There is a DJ as the podium spins round and I imagine most of the F1 commentary team will feel like a parent at a school disco as they wait to speak the world champion.

8:58PM

Mexican Grand Prix results

8:57PM

That top three in Mexico

Verstappen, Bottas and Raikkonen take their places on the podium.

It was another great drive from the 20-year-old. 

8:55PM

Team work makes the dream work

8:53PM

A word from the race winner

8:52PM

Poor Majestic - not Mad - Max!

You have to feel a little sorry for Max as his wonderful drive may be overlooked, so I think we should all take a moment to applaud him before we continue discussing our most successful British F1 driver. 

8:48PM

A four-time world champion

8:47PM

More words from Hamilton

"It doesn't feel real. That's not the kind of race that I want. I never gave up, I kept going right to the end."

8:46PM

An emotional champion

Lewis is hugging his team. Which is, of course, more important than chatting to the media. This is why I like him.

8:45PM

A message from Neymar

"Hey Lewis, it's Neymar. I'm very happy for you bro."

8:44PM

A word from the champion

"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone on this team. What you've done over the past few months has been unbelievable."

8:43PM

Messages for the champion

Toto: "Not the race we wanted, but who cares. Four-time world champion."

Niki: "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

8:40PM

Your top three

8:39PM

Max Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix and Lewis Hamilton wins his fourth world title!

Verstappen wins ahead of Bottas, Raikkonen, Vettel, Ocon, Stroll, Perez, Magnussen, Hamilton and Alonso.

Massa is P11, followed by Vandoorne, Gasly, Wehrlein, Grosjean.

Sainz, Ericsson, Hartley, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo are all out.

8:37PM

Lap 69 of 71

Hamilton and Alonso are at it again and there is another connection. It is so tight but eventually Hamilton takes P9, although the McLaren driver is not giving up. 

Something flew off a car, I think it was the Mercedes.

Alonso moans into his radio, but is told: "It was good racing and fair racing."

8:34PM

Lap 67 of 71

Verstappen has set a new fastest lap of 1:18.892. Remember he was told to slow down earlier in the race.

Alonso and Hamilton touch tyres as the Mercedes man tries to get that P9 that would mean Vettel must win the race to continue championship battle. Hamilton eased up, well aware there was no point ruining another set of tyres. 

I can't wait to see Alonso fighting with Hamilton at the front of the pack again.

8:30PM

Lap 64 of 71

Verstappen leads Bottas, Raikkonen, Vettel, Ocon, Stroll, Perez, Magnussen, Alonso and Hamilton.

Massa is P11, followed by Vandoorne, Gasly, Wehrlein, Grosjean.

Sainz, Ericsson, Hartley, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo are all out.

8:28PM

Lap 62 of 71

"Ahh, mamma mia. It's a little bit too much." says Vettel when he's told how far ahead Raikkonen is. 

Sainz is the latest car to head to the pits and retire, as another Renault engine fails to last the day. 

Hamilton question the distance between the two Ferrari men.

8:22PM

Lap 59 of 71

Vettel takes Ocon and he's now into P4, with his teammate 23s points ahead. 

Verstappen has a ridiculously comfortable lead of 17.9s. 

Ericsson is in the pits with his car on fire - he's safe and out of the car. Another disappointing Sauber day with Wehrlein in  P14.

8:20PM

Lap 57 of 71

Vettel uses the inside line again, this time to take Stroll's P5. The German is the fastest man out on track, but whether he can get into that crucial second place is another matter.

Hamilton is in the points after moving around Massa into P10. 

15 Laps left as Vettel eyes the prey that is Ocon's Force India. 

8:16PM

Lap 54 of 71

Verstappen has a 16s lead over Bottas with Raikkonen a further 26s back. 

they're followed by Ococn, Stroll, Vettel, Perez, Magnussen, Alonso and Massa.

Hamilton is P11, ahead of Vandoorne, Ericsson, Gasly, Wehrlein, Grosjean and Sainz.

Hartley, Hulkenberg and Ricciardo have retired. 

8:13PM

Lap 51 of 71

And Vettel gets past the local boy by sailing up the inside of the Force India. Up in P6 now, Stroll and then Ocon will be his next targets after that move at Turn 4. 

Raikkonen in P3 is 25s ahead of his teammate. 

8:11PM

Lap 49 of 71

Hamilton is still struggling to get up the field - he remains in P12 behind Vandoorne. 

Vettel is up to P7 and about to hear that DRS time he will probably need to get past Perez ahead of him. 

8:06PM

Lap 46 of 71

As it stands Hamilton would win the title today, but I'm sure he would rather be on that podium for finishing in the top three - which does not look possible. Vettel is 54s behind Bottas in P2 - the position he so desperately needs. 

Stroll will be enjoying his 19th birthday with a 5.5s lead over Perez in P6. Hamilton goes ahead of Ericsson into P12. 

8:01PM

Lap 43 of 71

Verstappen is actually laughing as his engineer tells him to slow down, and then chastises him when he doesn't. His lead is up to 13.3s.

Ahh, the innocence of youth.

Hamilton finally gets past Gasly into P13.

7:57PM

Lap 40 of 71

Hamilton is finally managing to move through the pack as he goes into P14, leaving Wehrlein behind. 

Vettel is up to P7 and as we thought BOttas may hold the key for a Hamilton title today. Raikkonen in P3 will let his teammate through - if necessary - and that will leave the Mercedes driver next in line, towards the end of the race.

Verstappen has a 11.3s lead.

7:53PM

Lap 37 of 71

Vettel sets a new lap record from P8 as Hamilton moves into P15 as he sails past Grosjean on those new tyres. The German has to finish at least P2 to continue the race for the title.

Verstappen has a 9s lead over Bottas. 

7:49PM

Lap 34 of 71

Verstappen keeps the lead ahead of Bottas, Raikkonen, Ocon, Stroll, Perez, Magnussen, Vettel, Alonso and Massa.

Vandoorne is in P11, ahead of Ericsson, Gasly, Wehrlein, Grosjean, Hamilton and Sainz.

7:47PM

Lap 33 of 71

Yes Pierre! A great moves from Gasly to get past Grosjean but the Frenchman wants his place back, which gets Massa interested and he flies past.

Double yellows, Hartley's car is on fire and he joins Hulkenberg and Ricciardo as retirements.

We have a virtual safety car.

Verstappen pits, as does Hamilton. 

7:45PM

Lap 31 of 71

The home boy goes down the inside of Magnussen to take P6. How Perez would love to get his first podium of the season today. 

Vettel is now up to P8 and five of the seven cars ahead of him will still pit so his second place is possible. 

Verstappen getting ready to come in.

7:43PM

Lap 29 of 71

Verstappen now has a 8.2s lead over Bottas, who is then followed by Raikkonen, Stroll, Ocon, Magnussen, Perez, Alonso, Vettel and Vandoorne.

Hartley sits in P11, followed by Grosjean, Gasly, Massa, Ericsson, Wehrlein, Hamilton and Sainz. 

7:41PM

Ham v Vet

As it stands, Vettel has to finish in P2 to keep his faint championship hope alive. 

Hamilton has finally got ahead of Sainz but he again expresses concern over the radio, this time about his tyres. 

7:40PM

Lap 24 times

7:38PM

Renault retirement

Hulkenberg is out. It was a considered move, but it's another bad race day for the Renault. He was told to stop the car because "it wasn't safe". We'll let you know more details when we do. 

7:37PM

Another blue flag

Bottas is the second car to lap Hamilton. The last time he saw the blue flags was in the Spanish GP in 2013. 

To get some perspective, Stroll was still at school then...

7:35PM

Lap 24 of 71

Verstappen still leads Bottas, Raikkonen, Stroll, Ococn, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Ericsson and Alonso. 

Vettel is up to P11, followed by Vandoorne, Hartley, Grosjean, Gasly, Massa, Wehrlein, Sainz and Hamilton. 

7:31PM

This is not a drill!

Verstappen is about to lap Hamilton.

He tells the team: "It's crazy to be fighting for this position."

You're right Lewis, it is. His teammate may be next to lap him...

7:29PM

Lap 20 of 71

Vettel is just picking his way through the field and he is up to P13. This isn't the first time he's worked his way through the field this season. 

Perez pits and the Ferrari team was out in the garage but no Raikkonen. 

Vandoorne was told to move over for Alonso and Fernando is in the points. 

7:25PM

Lap 17 of 71

Grosjean has a five second time penalty after he left the track and gained an advantage. 

Raikkonen is putting pressure on Perez who is 0.6s ahead of him in P5. 

Hamilton is 70s behind Verstappen and could see the blue flags if the race leader needs to get past him. 

Vettel up to 14th. 

7:21PM

Lap 14 of 71

Vettel gets past Massa but he did veer off traclk so he may be penalised. He is up to P13. The German is now complaining and his team tell him to stay focused. 

Verstappen has a 5.4s lead over Bottas and he is followed by Ocon, Hulkenberg, Perez, Raikkonen, Stroll, Magnussen, Ericsson and Vandoorne.

Alonso is in P11 ahead of Hartley, Grosjean, Gasly, Vettel, Massa, Wehrlein, Sainz and Hamilton.

7:19PM

Update

The stewards will not investigate the Lap 1 collision involving Verstappen, Vettel and Hamilton

7:15PM

Ouch!

The stewards have noted the incident and we'll wait to see if they'll investigate... 

7:14PM

Lap 8 of 71

Ricciardo moves up nine places in the first five laps and now he is in the pits. He's out of the race. 

Hamilton has asked if Vettel hit him deliberately...

Verstappen sets the fastest lap and he is 3.8s ahead of Bottas who is followed by Ocon, Hulkenberg, Perez, Raikkonen, Stroll, Magnussen, Ericsson and Vandoorne.

Grosjean is P11, ahead of Alonso, Hartley, Gasly, Massa, Vettel, Wehrlein, Sainz and Hamilton.

7:10PM

Told you there would be drama

That start was ridiculous. everyone gets a good start but that long straight creates a great challenge. Verstappen touches Vettel and then Hamilton tries to come across at Turn 2, but touches Vettel, causes that puncture.

As Max says to his team: "Simply, simply. Lovely."

7:08PM

Lap 5 of 71

Ricciardo is up to 7th. Hamilton has put the supersofts on and he could go to the end of the race... Could.

Sainz also pitted and he now takes P19, so has split Vettel and Hamilton. 

7:06PM

Lap 3 of 71

Vettel is in to change his nose and Hamilton has to box to get those tyres sorted. 

Verstappen leads Bottas, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Perez, Massa, Raikkonen, Stroll, Ricciardo and Magnussen.

Vettel is P19 and Hamilton P20

7:04PM

LIGHTS OUT!

Vettel gets away well and Verstappen is doing all he can to protect his P2. The front three are wheel to wheel and Verstappen and Vettel touch and the Ferrari wing is flying across the track.

Hamilton has a puncture.

7:00PM

Formation Lap

The cars get away and the team's race back to the pits.

6:55PM

Team work makes the dream work

Bottas could well be the key for Hamilton today. He may be the best bodyguard in the world if things work out the way the Briton would hope.

6:52PM

How they will line up today

1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1min 16.488secs

2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.574

3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.934

4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:16.958

5 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:17.238

6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:17.437

7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:17.466

8 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:17.794

9 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:17.807

10 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:18.099

11 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:19.159

12  Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.176

13 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.333

14 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:19.443

15 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:19.473

16 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.447

17 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

18 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren No Time

19 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren No Time

20 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

NOTE: The following driver's have received penalties this weekend:

Vandoorne - 35

Alonso - 20

Gasly - 15

Hartley - 20

Ricciardo - 20

6:51PM

How they stand

6:50PM

We're nearly there

It may be miserable in the UK but the sun is still shining in Mexico.

So now is the perfect time to get your drinks, get your snacks and get ready for the Mexican Grand Prix. 

Lights out in ten minutes.

6:43PM

Tyre update

The man from Pirelli has suggested this is a one-stop race with most cars starting on the ultras, before changing to the supersofts around the Lap 30 mark. 

Only time will tell...

6:40PM

20 minutes until lights out

We could see our new champion crowned today if Hamilton finishes in P5 or higher. But either way, I suspect these 71 laps will still bring some drama to the table. Neither Vettel nor Verstappen will make it easy for the Mercedes man.

6:37PM

Some pre-race questions

• Can Perez get his first podium of the season in his home race?

• What affect will Bottas play on the final result?

• Will Sainz show again why he was brought in to replace Palmer?

• Will Ocon finish for the 27th consecutive race? 

6:34PM

Pit lane is open

Everyone is practicing their race starts, particularly with that long straight down to Turn 1. 

6:25PM

Just over half an hour until lights out

So here is some pre-race reading for you:

• How Lewis Hamilton can win the 2017 F1 world title in Mexico today

• Bernie Ecclestone suggests FIA helped Ferrari gain F1 advantage

• Lewis Hamilton may not be as popular as Andy Murray, but F1's world champion in waiting is Britain's sporting best

6:19PM

The Day of the Dead celebrations continue

6:18PM

How they will line up today

1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1min 16.488secs

2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.574

3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.934

4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:16.958

5 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:17.238

6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:17.437

7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:17.466

8 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:17.794

9 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:17.807

10 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:18.099

11 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:19.159

12  Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.176

13 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.333

14 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:19.443

15 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:19.473

16 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.447

17 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

18 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren No Time

19 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren No Time

20 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

NOTE: The following driver's have received penalties this weekend:

Vandoorne - 35

Alonso - 20

Gasly - 15

Hartley - 20

Ricciardo - 20

6:15PM

Sir Jackie Stewart on Hamilton

"The second half of the season, Hamilton has come of age. 

"He is a deserving world champion."

Sir Jackie knows what he's talking about having won three titles. 

6:11PM

Ole Checo

As you can imagine, there is a lot of love for Perez in his home race. It is no surprise as he's not only a great young driver, but he has recently raised over £2million for the country to benefit those affected by the recent hurricanes.  

6:04PM

Who do you think will win?

6:00PM

One hour until lights out

60 minutes to go as Vettel attempts to turn his 50th pole position into a winning one. 

The Mexicans are already partying hard and depending on this weekend, Hamilton may join them.

5:58PM

The circuit

This is the track that they will all be facing today. 

 71 laps and a circuit distance of 4.304.

5:51PM

How old do I feel?

It is Lance Stroll's 19th birthday today and it reminds you that F1 driver's are getting younger every year. 

That said, it must be pretty cool to celebrate your last teenage birthday by racing in your first Mexican Grand Prix.

Let's hope the Williams driver has something to celebrate.

5:47PM

The lap that got Vettel pole

5:45PM

GRID UPDATE

Ricciardo and Hartley are the latest names to pick up penalties, so the revised starting grid will look like this:

1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1min 16.488secs

2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.574

3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.934

4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:16.958

5 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:17.238

6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:17.437

7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:17.466

8 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:17.794

9 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:17.807

10 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:18.099

11 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:19.159

12  Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.176

13 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.333

14 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:19.443

15 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:19.473

16 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.447

17 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

18 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren No Time

19 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren No Time

20 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

NOTE: The following driver's have received penalties this weekend: 

Vandoorne - 35

Alonso - 20

Gasly - 15

Hartley - 20

Ricciardo - 20

5:41PM

How they will line up today

1 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1min 16.488secs

2 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:16.574

3 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.934

4 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:16.958

5 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:17.238

6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:17.437

7 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:17.447

8 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:17.466

9 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:17.794

10 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:17.807

11 Felipe Massa (Bra) Williams 1:18.099

12 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:19.159

13 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

14  Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.176

15 Pascal Wehrlein (Ger) Sauber-Ferrari 1:19.333

16 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:19.443

17 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:19.473

18 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren No Time

19 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren No Time

20 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time

NOTE: The following driver's have received penalties this weekend: 

Vandoorne - 35

Alonso - 20

Gasly - 15

5:40PM

Champion-elect

As we know, Hamilton needs just nine points to join the select club of men who have won fourth F1 titles. 

Basically, he needs to finish fifth or higher to be crowned champion today. But we all know the Briton will want to win or at least be on the podium. 

5:36PM

How they stand

5:33PM

Good evening race fans

Hello and welcome. 

It's the 18th race of the season, the Mexican Grand Prix.

5:30PM

Lewis Hamilton start third as Sebastian  Vettel takes pole in Mexico City

Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of a stress-free cruise to his fourth world title were dashed last night as Sebastian Vettel took pole for the Mexican Grand Prix with a stunning final qualifying lap.

Although Hamilton, who starts third today behind Max Verstappen, remains firmly in the ascendant, holding a 66-point lead in the championship with just 75 left to compete for, Vettel added an extra complication by becoming only the fourth man in Formula One to achieve 50 pole positions.

Both races in Mexico have been won from the front since the country’s restoration to the calendar in 2015. Should his German rival convert the advantage to victory this evening, Hamilton will need to finish at least fifth to cement his status as a quadruple champion, joining Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost and Vettel himself.

With an unusually long run down to Turn One here at Mexico City’s Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, there promises to be a memorable opening skirmish. The last time Vettel and Verstappen were beside each other on the front row, they collided at the first corner of Singapore, in a shower of sparks and flying debris.

As Hamilton lurks behind them with his eye on history, the cocktail is likely to be explosive. “Yeah, we should have some fun,” he said, with a knowing grin.

For all that he strived to take pressure off himself yesterday, Hamilton found that Mercedes’ usually blistering qualifying pace was lacking. The thin air of Mexico City, which lies over 7,000 feet above sea level, creates added difficulty for a team that has tended to struggle on high-downforce circuits this season.

Vettel, who realistically needs to win all three remaining races and hope that Hamilton crashes out in each, was primed to pounce for Ferrari, producing a track record of 1min 16.488sec. So, too, was Red Bull’s Verstappen, just nine hundredths slower. The Dutchman, arguably channelling some of the anger he felt at being demoted from third to fourth in Austin, was the subject of another stewards’ investigation last night amid suspicions he had impeded Valtteri Bottas.

For all his euphoria at seizing pole, Vettel recognised that his chances of denying Hamilton the title were remote to the point of dreams. Even a win is not, by itself, enough to sustain the duel to Brazil in a fortnight’s time, with Hamilton needing just 10 more points to be sure of the coronation.

“I tried to deny Sebastian, but it wasn’t to be,” Hamilton said. “It was a difficult session and it has been a difficult weekend. Ferrari did a great job and their car was working better than ours, but I am still there in the fight. The race pace is good, but you can’t overtake here.”

Hamilton was too circumspect to acknowledge that he was contemplating glory just yet. Pressed on what celebrations he was planning, he replied: “I haven’t thought about it – and I won’t until I achieve it.”