Max Verstappen tightens grip on F1 title with Mexican GP win as Lewis Hamilton holds off charging Sergio Perez in second

MAX VERSTAPPEN took another giant leap towards the Formula One drivers’ world championship – but owes Daniel Ricciardo a drink.

The Australian crashed into pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas on the first corner.

Max Verstappen blew away the rest of the field to win the Mexico GPVerstappen led Hamilton who was followed by Sergio Perez for the majority of the race

Valtteri Bottas was clipped by Daniel Ricciardo, left, on turn one as he fell from first to last

That saw the Mercedes man spin and fall to last while Verstappen took the racing line and edged round to first, bypassing rival Lewis Hamilton on his way past.

And the Dutchman was simply too fast for the rest of the field, blitzing clear to win by a mammoth margin.

Hamilton had a long battle to hold off the challenge of local favourite Sergio Perez in the battle for second.

But the reigning world champ managed to retain his place for second.

Mercedes changed Bottas’ tyres twice late on to take the fastest lap point off Verstappen – but the Finnish driver did not get the point because he crossed the line in 15th.

More to follow…