Summary

  • Hamilton takes fourth world title - making him most successful British driver of all time

  • He joins Vettel and Alain Prost on four championships

  • Briton finishes ninth after colliding with Vettel on opening lap

  • Verstappen wins race, Vettel battles back to 4th

  • Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Hartley, Ericsson, Sainz out

Live Reporting

Michael Emons

  1. Did Vettel deliberately hit me?

    "Did he hit me deliberately," asks Lewis Hamilton to his team, talking about the incident where Sebastian Vettel drove into the back of him in the third corner.

    Formula 1Getty Images

  2. Ricciardo out

    Disaster for Daniel Ricciardo. He was 16th on the grid but his race only lasts a few laps before he has to retire from the race.

  3. 'Ice cool' Mercedes

    Tom Clarkson
    BBC Radio 5 live commentator in Mexico City

    The Mercedes team have been ice cool. Incredibly impressive.

    When the collision happened there was no drama.

    Everyone knew exactly what they wanted to do. Hamilton is in clean air and should get back to the drivers relatively quickly.

  4. 'Huge challenge for Vettel'

    Allan McNish
    Formula 1 analyst on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    It is a huge challenge for Sebastian Vettel to get up to second [and keep title alive].

    Vettel came from the back row of the grid to fourth in Malaysia. It is possible.

  5. That first lap incident

    We are seeing that first lap incident again.

    Verstappen and pole-sitter Vettel bang tyres, that gives Hamilton, in third, a chance to dive outside of Vettel.

    Hamilton moves ahead of Vettel, who drives into the back of Hamilton and the front wing from Vettel flies off, with Hamilton suffering a puncture at the same time. What drama. Incredible.

  6. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    L J: Vettel does a Schumacher, hitting Hamilton.

    Jiv3ysaur: Tyres blown, mind blown

    Jack of all trades: Wasteful from @LewisHamilton All he had to do is keep out of trouble.

  7. Hamilton aiming for the end

    Tom Clarkson
    BBC Radio 5 live in Mexico City

    Hamilton has a new front wing waiting for him. Toto Wolff is stood up from his chair watching the pit stop.

    He put on the soft tyre and should be able to get to the end of the grand prix on that tyre.

  8. Is that the championship done and dusted already? Sebastian Vettel is 19th, Lewis Hamilton is 20th, both have had to go into the pits. Remember, Vettel needs to finish in the top two or the title is Hamilton's, no matter where he finishes.

  9. Sebastian Vettel has to go into the pit. Front wing damage.

  10. 'Hamilton limping'

    Allan McNish
    Formula 1 analyst on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    Lewis Hamilton is limping back. He has a long way to go.

  11. 'Flat tyre'

    "I've got a flat tyre, a flat tyre," says Lewis Hamilton.

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  12. First lap drama

    Verstappen and Vettel bang wheels at the first corner. And wait.

    Hamilton has been hit.... He has a right rear puncture.

    Hamilton and Vettel collided with each other. Unbelievable. What a start. What a start.

  13. Go! Go! Go!

    And it's lights out. Go, go, go.

  14. 'A lot of weaving'

    Allan McNish
    Formula 1 analyst on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    There is a lot of weaving going on, just trying to get some temperature into the front tyres.

  15. Get Involved

    #bbcf1

    Woody Harrison: Although Lewis will not win the race, he will win the championship today!

    Kayleigh: Ordering a takeaway for the same time as lights out is the biggest rookie mistake I’ve ever made.

    Jeremiah Kariuki: This is one race Hamilton will be attacking for a win, but also playing safe to win the championship here.

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  16. 'Sportsmen live for these occasions'

    Four-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "I think he [Hamilton] is ready. He is such a competitor. I think he will be going for victory. He seemed very relaxed this morning and now is into his focus as always.

    "Sportsmen live for these occasions. I couldn't give him any advice in this area. He has been here before and has the opportunity to do something fantastic today."

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  17. And the drivers are off for their formation lap.

  18. Grid order

    1. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
    2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
    3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
    4. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes)
    5. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
    6. Esteban Ocon (Force India)
    7. Nico Hulkenberg (Renault)
    8. Carlos Sainz (Renault)
    9. Sergio Perez (Force India)
    10. Felipe Massa (Williams)
    11. Lance Stroll (Williams)
    12. Marcus Ericsson (Sauber)
    13. Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber)
    14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
    15. Romain Grosjean (Haas)
    16. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull, 20-place grid penalty)
    17. Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso, 20-place grid penalty)
    18. Fernando Alonso (McLaren, 20-place grid penalty)
    19. Stoffel Vandoorne (McLaren, 35-place grid penalty
    20. Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso, 5-place grid penalty, but did not take part in qualifying)

  19. Get Involved #bbcf1

    Where does Lewis Hamilton rank among the greats? / Your title decider memories

    Jake: HAM was teammates with ALO in his rookie season and they were very even so HAM can be considered the best of this gen at least.

    Jack Spearing: To see who a true great is from this generation put Ham, Vet, Alonso & Verstappen (he'll win champs) in the same car for a season.

  20. Problems coming up at first corner?

    Allan McNish
    Formula 1 analyst on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    It is a long way from the grid to the first corner. The front tyres and brakes will have cooled down by the time they get to that point.

    Last year we saw a few drivers lock up, drive straight across the grass and rejoin at Turn Three.

    That is an issue for Vettel and Verstappen - Hamilton can sit and watch.