Latest F1 news in brief

Max Verstappen didn't give up his position to Vettel when he was supposed to, then backed Vettel up into his teammate, which resulted in Vettel getting a penalty for blocking Ricciardo

Mexican drama explodes behind Hamilton win
Verstappen labels time penalty 'ridiculous'
German GP not secure for 2017 – Ecclestone
Alonso looks ahead to post-season 'holiday'
2016 like '10 seasons in 1' – Kvyat
Hamilton feared race was over after Turn 1
Mercedes breaks own record with 17th win

Mexican drama explodes behind Hamilton win
(GMM) The drama was behind Lewis Hamilton as the Briton kept his world championship hopes just alive in Mexico.

Teammate Nico Rosberg, however, duly finished second, meaning that a win Brazil next time out will guarantee the title for Mercedes' German driver.

"Nico is doing a great job to pull in the positions that he has to finish," said Hamilton.

In truth, the real drama was behind the silver-clad pair in Mexico, even though Max Verstappen's driving almost played a role in the title with a clash with Rosberg.

Mercedes chiefs Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff were furious.

Lauda said it was "unacceptable", saying it is obvious "the anger of the (other) drivers is growing".

But Dutchman Verstappen was defended by Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

"Max does not see Nico fighting for the title, he sees an opportunity to attack. That is why he is such a great driver," he said.

Indeed, Max finished third on the line but the FIA shunted him off the podium with a stewards ruling.

Max Verstappen is a menace on and off the race track

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was put on the podium in his place, only to be also relegated by the FIA in a post-race decision about his duel with Verstappen.

"It's ridiculous what Vettel did," he said. "Daniel (Ricciardo) was alongside him and he just turned into him."

Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko said: "There was a new rule (about moving under braking) in the last race but I have never seen a more drastic move than Vettel's."

Verstappen continued: "Then he is shouting and I don't know how many times he is using very bad language. I think he needs to go back to school."

Some of that language was directed even at race director Charlie Whiting, who was deliberating about a separate on-track run-in with Vettel.

Vettel's radio message was: "Here is a message to Charlie – f— off. Honestly, f— off."

Marko commented: "Vettel's behavior is unworthy of a four-time world champion."

In fact, it is believed FIA president Jean Todt is unhappy with the attack, with The Sun newspaper claiming a race ban for Vettel is even a possibility.

"I do wonder if Sebastian will get away with it," said Horner.

Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene immediately told Vettel to "calm down", and later revealed that his German driver apologized in person to Whiting.

Many of Vettel's rivals think he is obviously frustrated at Ferrari.

"He is just a very frustrated guy," said Verstappen.

Ricciardo agreed: "He is obviously a bit frustrated this year."

And Nico Hulkenberg said: "In his eyes, the whole world is always against him. But what he said was pretty extreme."

Arrivabene insisted: "There is no frustration, it's just Sebastian's temperament. He is a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve.

"Sebastian apologized to Charlie, we talked with him — that's all."

Verstappen gets in trouble almost every race

Verstappen labels time penalty 'ridiculous'
Red Bull's Max Verstappen has labelled his time penalty as "ridiculous" as he was stripped of a podium finish at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Verstappen, on increasingly worn tires, locked up and went wide while under pressure from Sebastian Vettel, and cut the apex of Turn 2 to stay ahead.

Verstappen held onto third, prompting a furious response from Vettel, who in turn was delayed as he battled the other Red Bull of Daniel Ricciardo.

Verstappen crossed the line in third position but the stewards quickly handed him a five-second penalty, which demoted him to fifth.

"I think it's pretty similar to happened on lap one," said Verstappen, who was also given one penalty point, putting him on four for the 12-month period.

"Lewis [Hamilton] went off and gained a massive advantage. Nico [Rosberg] also [went off] when we touched and he gained an advantage.

"I didn't gain an advantage; when I re-joined I was the same length in front. I think it's ridiculous."

Verstappen also heaped criticism on Vettel for the German's defensive approach against Ricciardo.

"I think at least I can do it in a good way," Verstappen said of Vettel's race craft.

"He doesn't know how to do it. It was ridiculous what he did. He just turned into Daniel.

"Then he's just shouting over the radio. I think he has to go back to school to get some [good] language. He's always so frustrated, shouting over the radio."

Stewards are investigating the Vettel/Ricciardo scrap.

Bernie Ecclestone in Mexico

German GP not secure for 2017 – Ecclestone
(GMM) Bernie Ecclestone says there is still no guarantee there will be a German grand prix in 2017.

After Germany's return to the calendar this year at Hockenheim, the circuit has been allocated a mere provisional date for the 2017 schedule.

That is because next year is actually the Nurburgring's turn to host the race, but that German circuit has been unable to fulfil its contract.

"Hockenheim is not yet certain for next year," F1 supremo Ecclestone told Bild newspaper in Mexico.

"If they are not willing to pay the money that the other promoters in Europe also pay, a race in Germany will be almost impossible," he insisted.

Hockenheim chief Georg Seiler has said previously he is open to signing a 2017 contract, but only on the condition that the track would not record a loss.

There have also been rumors Hockenheim could split the promotional responsibilities with Ecclestone, to make up the few million Euro the track is not willing to pay.

Seiler told Bild: "At the moment I can't say anything."

Alonso looks ahead to post-season 'holiday'
(GMM) Fernando Alonso has suggested he will not be unhappy once the checkered flag waves in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren has had a much better season this year than 2015, when the new works partnership with Honda began.

But Spaniard Alonso still sounds frustrated.

During the Mexican grand prix, he hit back at an engineer who told him to push, insisting: "You do your job and I'll do mine."

He told reporters: "We will try to improve for Brazil. We have had some races where we have not been very competitive.

So when asked what lies ahead for McLaren in 2016, Spanish publications quote Alonso as saying: "Now we are missing a month to finish the season and go on holiday."

2016 like '10 seasons in 1' – Kvyat
(GMM) Daniil Kvyat admits he feels "stronger" towards the end of what he says is the most challenging season of his career.

The Russian began the year at Red Bull and was on the podium in China, but the team shunted him to their junior outfit Toro Rosso in order to promote Max Verstappen.

Kvyat then struggled for performance and looked set to be axed altogether for 2017, but Red Bull is keeping him at the junior team for another year.

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster Movistar, 22-year-old admits that 2016 has seemed long.

"It seems like it's been ten seasons in one. It's been so long," Kvyat said.

"But I'm stronger. I survived."

He also admitted that news of his new deal for 2017 was a great weight off his shoulders.

"After the confirmation for 2017 I'm much calmer," said Kvyat. "Now I focus on what really matters."

Lewis Hamilton (L)

Hamilton feared race was over after Turn 1
Lewis Hamilton feared he had blown his Mexican Grand Prix chances after suffering a heavy lock-up under braking for the first corner.

Hamilton, who started on pole, snatched his front-right and ran over the grass, leaving him with a significant flat-spot for his opening stint.

He regained his composure, however, to take victory and keep his title hopes alive, cutting team-mate Nico Rosberg's lead to 19 points.

"I got a great start, I was very happy with it," Hamilton told Sky Sports.

"I had a glazed right-front, so when I braked it just locked up and I had no choice but to go over the grass – there was no way that I could make the corner.

"After this, the vibration was so big. I thought I would have to pit, that my race would be over."

Asked if he feared he would be penalized for running wide, he added: "It hadn't crossed my mind what the stewards may or may not think, I was just so concerned with the flat-spot.

"But I had a lot of pace in the car. I didn't have to push and I was pulling away."

Hamilton added that he will not give up on the championship.

"It has gone very well, these last two [races]," he said.

"I wish all of them had gone as well as these two. But It's never too late. I'm driving with every ounce, every vessel, every bit of energy and heart that I have.

"I'm not giving up. I'm going to give it everything I've got. As long as when I cross the line in Abu Dhabi I know I've given it everything I've got then I can be proud."

Hamilton is now level with Alain Prost on 51 race wins. It's amazing how Mercedes chief designer Aldo Costa makes drivers into heros. His cars carried Michael Schumacher to 91 wins. Can Hamilton get 40 more? If he sticks with Costa he can.

Aldo Costa designed cars are usually unbeatable

Mercedes breaks own record with 17th win
Lewis Hamilton hailed an "incredible" effort as Mercedes broke its own record for the most victories recorded by a team in a single season, after he won the Mexican Grand Prix.

Mercedes had taken 16 wins from 19 races in both the 2014 and 2015 season, breaking the record jointly held by McLaren and Ferrari.

However, Hamilton's victory in Mexico was the team's 17th of the campaign, with two events of the 21-round calendar left to run.

Hamilton's triumph was also the 51st of his own career in the sport, bringing him level with Alain Prost in second place on the all-time list.

"The most important one is the team one," he said.

"That's just incredible. Fantastic. Over half of the victories I've had have been with this team.

"It's a true showing of just how incredible the group of people we have and how well we work together and for the third year in a row proved that we are the best team.

"So, very proud and, as I always say, really proud to be a part of it.

"That was the plan, coming here to this team, being hopefully a part of that growth and success.

"I couldn't have dreamt it to be any better than it is."