Lewis Hamilton wins his FOURTH World Title – but LOSES the Mexican Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has won his fourth Drivers Title at the Mexican Grand Prix – the first British driver to do so – despite finishing only ninth in the race.

It had become almost inevitable that Lewis Hamilton would win his fourth world title in Mexico at the weekend, but it wasn’t quite in the style he would have liked.

Fighting from a third place on the grid, Hamilton collided with Vettel at the start of the race, puncturing a tyre and breaking Vettel’s front wing, and spent the race playing catch-up after the pair had to pit.

But he could only manage to climb to ninth place by the end of the race, but it mattered not a dot as Vettel only managed fourth – and the title was Hamilton’s.

It sees Hamilton become the most successful British F1 driver of all time, joining the elite holders of four titles – Vettel and Prost – but behind Fangio on five and Schumacher on seven. But there’s still plenty of time for Hamilton to live in hope of matching Schumacher before his career ends, as long as Mercedes continue to deliver a world beating car.

Despite the lowly ninth place it was a sterling drive from Hamilton, nursing a damaged diffuser and a lack of downforce from the coming together with Vettel at the start, and he fought hard – including a long stint behind Sainz and a tussle with Alonso – to grab the points he needed.

The race, though, belonged to Max Verstappen in the Red Bull who took an impressive win, followed by Bottas and Raikkonen, with everyone from Ocon in fifth – including Hamilton – lapped by the leaders.