Mexican Grand Prix: Hamilton wins fourth title - despite finishing lap behind

Max Verstappen made a glorious start, moving alongside Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari in pole and then elegantly nudging his way through to the lead, leaving the more experienced drivers to battle it out for themselves - and collide, forcing them into the pits and then to the back of the field.

That left the young Dutchman with all the time and space he needed to coast to a win, tearing the field apart and setting new track records in the process.

Credit to Mercedes's Valtteri Bottas, calmly seizing second place and defending it beautifully for the majority of the race.

Ultimately none of it mattered in the grand scheme of things - Vettel couldn't finish in the top two, and so Lewis Hamilton won the championship anyway.

Five stars out of five (for the result); one star out of five (for the race itself). Well, that start was good, following the curve of the track and moving in on Vettel - but there was contact and both picked up a puncture, necessitating pit stops.

Hamilton resumed his race at the very back of the race - and was getting the blue flags waved at him within half an hour as Verstappen looked to lap the field.

All a bit embarrassing for the Brit - being lapped for the first time in over four years.

But he finished ninth, Vettel finished fourth, and that meant a world title for the Mercedes driver.

When Hamilton realised the title could be his regardless of what he did on the track - and he'd owe it all to his team-mate.

"What position do I need?" he asked, and was told that it didn't matter - Vettel required second place or better.

"Is that possible for him?"

"Negative. Valtteri is now sat in P2 and holding that spot."

Imagine the relief.

Nico Hulkenberg's swift manoeuvre out of his cockpit was impressive - leaping out as soon as his Renault team told him it was no longer safe in there.

Credit also to Fernando Alonso, refusing to yield ninth place to Hamilton as he desperately tried to grab himself more points. Neither man needed to race, but they did anyway. Good to see.

Vettel's brisk move round Sergio Perez was brave, bearing in mind it was the Force India's home race, but also cleverly executed - the Ferrari was under pressure 20 laps from the end as he realised he needed to get to the front of the field should he wish to keep the championship alive for at least another round.

Vettel's use of ultras after his early pit stop kept him on the track until the end of the race - he certainly made the last laps worth watching as he chased his fading championship dream.

Fifth place for Esteban Ocon - Force India's other driver had had most of the spotlight in the lead-up to the race, but this was an excellent showing from him.

Poor Daniel Ricciardo had a massive grid penalty anyway, but despite a great start he ended up having to retire his Red Bull within the first seven laps due to turbo issues.

Team principal Christian Horner said that Ricciardo's engine was "brand new" - presumably they kept the receipt and will be demanding a refund.

Olympic legend Michael Johnson popped in to give Hamilton a cheer.

Also heard: Neymar, chatting over the radio to congratulate Hamilton, which was strange but oddly sweet.