Monaco’s Charles Leclerc started in pole position in Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix, but a two-pit strategy saw him lose the lead and cede the race to the two Mercedes drivers, Louis Hamilton, who came in first, and Valterri Bottas, third. Leclerc’s teammate Sebastian Vettel came second.

Mercedes driver Hamilton said after the race: “We came here thinking we were on the back foot but we pulled through, I had quite a bit of damage on the car so the race was quite a struggle but I kept my head down. It felt like a long second stint but I am so grateful today.”

He conceded that the Ferrari pair were no puchover, adding: “Holding off the Ferraris was not easy in the end.” Unless Hamilton comes very low down the list at the US Grabd Prix in Austin, Texas, he will again be crowned the F1 champion.

PHOTO: Leclerc’s Ferrari