Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes drove to a brilliant win in the Mexican Grand Prix but must wait at least another week to clinch his sixth Formula One world title.

Hamilton assumed the lead on lap 44, after polesitter Charles Leclerc botched a pit stop, and his long second stint from a one-stop strategy carried him to a 10th season victory, and 83rd overall, from third on the grid.

“Today is an incredible result… we came here thinking we were on the back foot and it was a difficult race for us, but we pulled through,” the race winner said in his on track interview after the race.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes completed the podium with Leclerc fourth in the other Ferrari – Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo in his Renault was eighth.

“It was a very intense race. I had Valtteri behind me putting a lot pressure on, so I couldn’t think too much about Lewis,” Vettel said when interviewed moments after the race conclusion.

Bottas finishing third kept the championship alive – if only theoretically – to the US Grand Prix next Sunday.

Hamilton will arrive in Texas protecting a 74-point lead with a maximum of 78 remaining for the Finn.

The Briton must emerge from that race with a 52-point gap to his teammate to seal the title, something he could achieve by finishing eighth – or ninth with the fastest lap – even if Bottas wins at the Circuit of the Americas.

and would hold off Vettel to claim the 83rd F1 win of his career.

The Briton crossed the line just ahead of his German rival, but a third place for team-mate Bottas meant the championship champagne must remain on ice.

Hamilton will now focus on wrapping up the title in Austin next week.