Fans around the world were treated to not just one, but two title contenders fighting their way through the field in this aftertnoon's Mexican Grand Prix, when a three way pass at the first corner on lap one resulted inย Max Verstappen taking to the lead and Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton knocking cars.
Vettel sufferedย front wing damage in the melee and as a result, when Hamilton tried to pass, the Pirelli ultrasoft tyre on his Mercedes was punctured by the damaged wing. This meant that as Max took to what turned out to bre a very commanding lead, the two title contenders were forced to pit for repairs.
Sebastian's stop was a lot quicker, getting into the pits and getting out again, then Lewis' as he was forced to drive slowly due to the puncture, and the team had an extra long look at his car to ensure no other damage was done.
As a result, Hamilton came out dead last and a long way off the rest of the pack. Sebastian meanwhile was a little further up the field and slicing his way through the slower cars, picking them off one after the other.
Sadly Daniel Ricciardo was forced to retire, just one of three Renault powered engines not to last the distance, which, in turn, caused worry on the Red Bull Racing pitlane in regard to Max Verstappen's leading car. As much as they tried to slow the Dutchman down, it didn't work, but thankfully for all concerned, it didn't matter as the 20 yr old crossed the line at the end of the 71` lap event to claim the third victory of his career. (some say it's the Danii Kvyat effect because everytime the Russian driver has been demoted from his raciung seat, max has gone on to win that race.)
As for Vettel and Hamilton, Vettel knew he had to finish at least second to keep the championship alive going into Brazil and the Ferrari driver definatley gave it his all to get there, but unfortunately, he crossed the line down in fourth place. Lewis Meanwhile, fought his way back to ninth, and was lapped by Verstappen and his own teammate, Valtteri Bottas, who finished second, but when he climbed from the cockpit of his Mercedes it was a the 2017 World Champion!
Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the podium for Ferrari, his 90th podium appearance, but all eyes were on Lewis, the first ever British driver to win four world championship titles in Formula One.
So it's congratulations Max on your third dominant win in the pinnacle of Motorsports and an even bigger congratulations to Lewis Hamilton on winning the 2017 Formula One World Championship!
