Lewis Hamilton wins Mexican Grand Prix to narrow Nico Rosberg's championship lead

Lewis Hamilton has reduced teammate Nico Rosberg's lead at the top of the drivers' standings to 19 points after winning the Mexican Grand Prix. The 31-year-old ensured his hopes of winning a fourth World Championship remained alive with an expert drive.

Hamilton finished one place ahead of his German rival, who collided with Max Verstappen at the first corner of the race, while his teammate ran onto the grass. Thereafter, though, the Brit showed all of his class and experience to give himself an outside chance of retaining his title with 50 points still to play for in the final two races of the season, in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton later admitted he was thrilled to have won in front of Mexico's passionate Formula One followers.

"The win] was amazing because of all these people. Viva Mexico!" Hamilton said on the podium, where he was joined by his teammate and third-placed Sebastian Vettel.

"This is honestly the best crowd we get anywhere. In our home country it is always great, but these guys have such a great passion."

The Brit also praised the performance of his Mercedes teammate and revealed he was relieved to have made it through the race without any major technical problems. "Nico is doing a great job. I'm really grateful the team did a great job," he said.

Rosberg, meanwhile, said he was broadly pleased with his performance in Mexico, even though he was not able to extend his advantage over Hamilton.

"It has been a good day," he shared. "I haven't been too fast this weekend so I have to accept second place. I got shunted at the start and had a battle with Max Verstappen late on, so it was OK to be second."