Hamilton clinches Mexican Grand Prix, title on hold as Bottas finish at third

Hamilton, who had clinched his last two titles in 2017 and 2018 in Mexico City, needed only to beat Bottas by 14 points, but picked up 10 instead.

Mexico: Lewis Hamilton overcame Ferrari's front-row start to win the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, and move closer to a sixth Formula 1 championship title.

Only Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas' third-place finish denied Hamilton the championship by the slimmest of margins.

Hamilton, who had clinched his last two titles in 2017 and 2018 in Mexico City, needed only to beat Bottas by 14 points, but picked up 10 instead.

That sends the championship to next week's USA Grand Prix, where Hamilton has won five times since 2012.

Mercedes gambled on an early tyre change and Hamilton rode it all the way to the finish to get his 10th win of the season and first in Mexico City since 2016 - the last time he was even on the podium in the high altitude of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel finished second.