MEXICO CITY -- Lewis Hamilton sealed the 2017 world championship title with a recovery drive to ninth at the Mexican Grand Prix after an early clash with title rival Sebastian Vettel helped Max Verstappen win the Mexican Grand Prix.
There was instant drama at the start as Verstappen and Hamilton got alongside polesitter Vettel into the opening corner. Despite being forced wide, Verstappen got past Vettel between Turn 1 and 2, with the Ferrari driver clipping the Dutchman's rear as he completed the move. Sensing an opportunity, Hamilton dove around the outside of Vettel through Turn 3 but was forced to lift on exit for Verstappen's car, leading to contact with his championship rival.