Whattheysay
VeLettel’s left front wing clipped Hamilton’s right rear tire, damaging both cars and forcing them to pit for repairs.
Verstappen disappeared into the distance as a seething Hamilton asked his team over the radio if Vettel made contact “on purpose”.
“Not sure, Lewis,” the team replied. Race stewards determined no investigation was necessary.
Both drivers made a mad scramble to get back toward the front, weaving through the traffic on the short track.
Hamilton was struggling and on lap 23 — so slow he was shown a blue flag, the humiliating order to let a faster car — Verstappen — go past him.
“I knew the car was good. I didn’t know it would be that good,” said Verstappen, who finished around 19 seconds ahead of second-placed Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes.
Vettel fought hard, but once into fourth place, he asked how far teammate Kimi Raikkonen was ahead in third place. Told 26 seconds, he said: “Mamma mia. I think that’s a bit too much.”
After their cars crossed the finish line, Vettel drove alongside Hamilton and applauded. Hamilton seemed momentarily overwhelmed, placing his helmet in his hands.
“He’s done a superb job all year round and deserves to win the title. So congratulations to him. It’s not about anyone else today, it’s about him. It’s his day,” Vettel said.
The finish allowed Hamilton to celebrate championships in four cities over his career, with Mexico City joining Sao Paolo, Brazil, in 2008, Abu Dhabi in 2014 and Austin, Texas, in 2015.
His Mercedes car has dominated the era of turbo-hybrid engines adopted in 2014. Of Hamilton’s 62 career victories, 40 have come over the past four years, a span of 77 races. “It was a horrible way to do it but what can I do?”
on winning his fourth F1 title in difficult circumstances at the Mexican Grand Prix
Hamilton,
“It doesn’t feel real, man. It’s not the race you want when you’re 40 seconds down, but I never gave up.”
Hamilton,
“Did he hit me deliberately?”; “Not sure, Lewis.”
Hamilton,
querying Sebastian Vettel’s first-lap clash which left both men having to pit, followed by his team’s reply
“I don’t fear him. I like racing against him and I just wish I could have done more of it this year.”
on Hamilton
Vettel,
“I hated the race but I am super happy now. Lewis has achieved it and the team has won. This is most important.”
Mercedes chief
Toto Wolff,
“I’m happy for you bro’.”
Brazilian soccer superstar’s message to Hamilton
Neymar,
“@lewishamilton... Legend !!!!! Well done bro!!”
British Olympics middle-distance running gold medalist on Twitter
Mo Farah,