Hamilton takes fifth F1 title

MEXICO CITY - Lewis Hamilton celebrated his fifth Formula One world championship and joined an elite trio of greats on Sunday after a Mexican Grand Prix won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen for the second year in a row.

The Mercedes driver, who equalled the five titles of late 1950s Argentine great Juan Manuel Fangio with only seven times champion Michael Schumacher above them, finished fourth while Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel was second.

Hamilton had needed only five points to be sure of the title while four times champion Vettel had to win to have any hope of denying the Briton.

"It's something I dreamed of, but I never in a million years thought I'd be stood here as a five-time champion," the 33-year-old told Sky Sports television.

"I'm so grateful for everyone who helped me be here, to raise the bar and lift the cup.

"It wasn't won here, just throughout the season and a lot of hard work," added the 33-year-old after doing smoking 'donuts' in front of a 130,000-strong crowd who witnessed a rare race without a Mercedes driver standing on the podium.

"To complete this when Fangio did it with Mercedes is an incredible feeling and very surreal."

Team boss Toto Wolff hailed Hamilton as a well-deserved champion.

"He has really been the dominant driver this year," said the Austrian.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen was third, meaning the constructors' championship remained open at least until the Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks' time with Mercedes' lead trimmed.