Formula 1: Hamilton wins the championship title at Mexico

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has won the 2017 Formula One Drivers’ championship at Mexico. This will be the British driver's fourth title which makes him the fifth person to achieve this feat in the Formula One history.

An aggressive start saw Red Bull's Max Verstappen challenge the Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel who was on pole position and caused a contact between the two drivers. Noticing this, Lewis Hamilton took the outside line, but collided with Vettel. There was damage to the Ferrari's front wing and Hamilton's Mercedes suffered from a rear tyre puncture. Both the drivers pitted at the end of first lap and were the last of the drivers in race by the fourth lap.

Vettel and Hamilton moved up the field and the German was keen to take the Championship battle to the Brazilian GP. The Ferrari driver had to be placed 2nd or higher and Lewis 9th or lower for the championship to be open until the next race. However, despite a strong effort throughout, Vettel could only manage the 4th place by the end of the race. Lewis Hamilton finished in 9th position to clinch the World Championship title.

Red Bull's Verstappen was unchallenged at the front and won the third race of his career. He however, missed out on becoming the youngest driver to win a pole position as Vettel had beaten him at the very end of the qualifying stages. Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas came in 2nd followed by fellow countryman Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari to complete the podium. A virtual safety car in the mid-race allowed Raikkonen to catch up and pass the Force India car of Esteban Ocon.

The Force India drivers Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez came 5th and 7th split by William's Lance Stroll. Kevin Magnussen of Haas was placed 8th, followed by Fernando Alonso of McLaren Honda at 10th and William's Felipe Massa in the 11th. Stoffel Vandoorne's McLaren Honda came in at 12th ahead of the Torro Rosso of Pierre Gasly. Last of the classified drivers, Pascal Wehrlein of Sauber and Romain Grosjean of Haas were placed 14th and 15th respectively.

Both the Renault cars of Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg could not finish the race. They were joined by Marcus Ericsson of Sauber Ferrari, Brendon Hartley of Toro Rosso and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Hamilton's lead of 56 points over Vettel is unconquerable in the remaining two races. However, the position for the 2nd place is not yet decided and will be a close one between Vettel and Bottas with a gap of just 15 points.

The penultimate race of the 2017 season will be held at Brazil on 12th November. The season will close at the Abu Dhabi GP on 26th November.

World Drivers' Championship standings:

Lewis Hamilton - 333

Sebastian Vettel - 277

Valtteri Bottas - 262

World Constructors' Championship standings:

Mercedes - 595

Ferrari - 455

Red Bull - 340