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F1

Hamilton secures fourth title despite early collision

Lewis Hamilton became Britain's first four-times Formula One world champion at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday despite a first corner collision with title rival Sebastian Vettel.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP
CLIVE ROSEAFP

Lewis Hamilton became Britain's first four-times Formula One world champion at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday despite a first corner collision with title rival Sebastian Vettel that dropped both to the back of the field.

In a race won by Red Bull's Dutch 20-year-old Max Verstappen, the 32-year-old Mercedes driver fought back from last place to finish ninth while Ferrari's Vettel climbed from 19th to fourth.

Hamilton's team mate Valtteri Bottas finished second with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen third.

F1 - Formula 1 - Mexican Grand Prix 2017 - Mexico City, Mexico - October 29, 2017 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the race
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F1 - Formula 1 - Mexican Grand Prix 2017 - Mexico City, Mexico - October 29, 2017 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during the raceEDGARD GARRIDOREUTERS

All time greats

Lewis Hamilton joined one of sport's most exclusive clubs on Sunday when he became Britain's most successful racing driver of all time by claiming his fourth Formula One world title.

His ninth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix lifted him into the company of the sport's true greats as he joined his nearest contemporary rival Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost as a four-time champion.

Only two drivers have achieved more -- seven-time champion Michael Schumacher and five-time champion Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio -- while Hamilton leaves behind a cluster of five celebrated masters of the track on three apiece.

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29
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Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates after winning his fourth F1 World Drivers Championship during the Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 29Mark ThompsonAFP

To have won more than men like Australia's Jack Brabham, fellow-Briton Jackie Stewart, Austrian Niki Lauda and Brazilians Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna is a spectacular statement of achievement.