Lewis Hamilton wins his fifth F1 title with a 4th place finish at the Mexican GP

Lewis Hamilton became only the third man in Formula 1 history to win five driver titles.

Hamilton finished fourth in the Mexican Grand Prix, won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull for the second year in a row. to bring back its title 5.

The Mercedes driver, who equaled the five titles of the great Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio at the end of the 1950s with only seven times the champion Michael Schumacher, finished fourth while his rival Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel, was second. 19659002] Hamilton needed only five points to be sure of the title, while the four-time champion Vettel had to win to hope to deny the Briton.

"It's something I dreamed about, but I never thought in a million years I would be here as a champion five times," said the 33-year-old at Sky Sports Television.

"I am very grateful to all those who helped me to be here, to raise the level and to raise the cup

" This was not won here, but throughout the season and a lot of hard work, "added the 33-year-old after having smoked" donuts "in front of a crowd of 130,000 people who attended a rare unmanned Mercedes race on the podium.

" Finally, when Fangio has made Mercedes an incredible feeling and very surreal. "

An unforgettable day! #HiFive pic.twitter.com/pBwoxUy0ID

Mercedes-AMG F1 (@ MercedesAMGF1) October 29, 2018

The boss of the l & # 39; Team, Toto Wolff, hailed Hamilton as a well-deserved champion. [19659002] "He was really the dominant driver this year," said Austrian.

Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari) was third, which means that the constructors' championship remained open at least until the Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks, with Mercedes leading

SPORTS GESTURE

In a sporting gesture, Hamilton hugged Vettel then ran into the Mercedes garage to kiss his teammates one by one

"I think he drove superbly all year and it was the best of us both," said the German, whose season ended after the break in August. "I told him" well deserved "and d & To enjoy it. Number five, I think, is something unbelievable.

"I asked him to continue to press for next year.I needed him at his best to fight him again."

Australian Daniel Ricciardo, teammate of Verstappen, has retired from the race with a smoking engine. After starting in pole position,

Christian Horner, the team's director, called the "Eighth Retirement" an "absolute abatement", with Red Bull wondering if he would succeed in the race. "It was a shame to lose Daniel," said Verstappen, who was angry Saturday after missing pole. "I think we could have had one or two or at least two cars on the podium."

The Dutch driver takes his head at the start, while Hamilton moves away quickly to take third place behind Ricciardo. .

When it starts to sink, you are five times @ F1 … pic.twitter.com/k5jkOb8Ue8

Mercedes-AMG F1 (@ MercedesAMGF1) ] October 29, 2018

But in a race of wear at high altitude, tire wear playing a huge role in the result, the champion was unable to keep up the pace and had not need to take a chance

"There is nothing left, these tires are dead," said Hamilton after leaving the track on lap 47. His Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas was fifth, but was overtaken by Verstappen.

Crossing the finish line, he takes the advantage. the title in Mexico for the second year in a row, Hamilton heard a message from Hollywood actor Will Smith on the radio: "That's how you do it, just like that." like that we're supposed to drive. "

Our Boys #HiFive pic.twitter.com/FjImoycNRf

Mercedes-AMG F1 (@ MercedesAMGF1) October 28, 2018 [19659012] But the afternoon is one of the toughest of the season: the Briton came off the podium for the first time since his retirement in Austria in early July.

Nico Hulkenberg finished sixth for Renault, who secured the retirement of Spain's Carlos Sainz. Charles Leclerc finished seventh for Sauber

Fangio. Schumacher. And now @LewisHamilton …

Welcome to the club, Lewis! #HiFive . twitter.com/6kjhUz4A6i

Mercedes-AMG F1 (@ MercedesAMGF1) October 28, 2018

Stoffel Vandoorne was an outstanding success, finishing eighth for McLaren, while Marcus Ericsson of Sauber was ninth and Pierre Gasly for Toro Rosso.

( With contributions from Reuters )

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