Max Verstappen's deal with Red Bull was due to expire this year, and he had been earmarked as a potential candidate to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes if he left for Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc came through the Ferrari Driver Academy and is the junior driver to German Sebastian Vettel, whose contract at Ferrari ends after the 2020 season.

Charles Leclerc is the junior driver to four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, whose contract at Ferrari ends after the 2020 season.

Lewis Hamilton is now just one title shy of the record seven world championships held by Michael Schumacher.

Sebastian Vettel insisted that he can bounce back and help Ferrari return to competitive form at the front of the field.

"Honestly I'm proud, definitely, but I'm super-grateful to this incredible team and all the people at Mercedes who have continued to push this year," said Lewis Hamilton.

Lewis Hamilton's success extended his points-scoring run to a record-equalling 33 races, levelling with his own record, and brought him his 50th victory from pole position.

Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel with Alex Albon taking sixth in the second Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton accepted the blame and apologised to Alex Albon who finished outside the top ten for the first time since he joined Red Bull mid-season.

Brazilian Grand Prix: Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc were forced to retire from the race after they had collided while fighting for fourth place on Sunday.

Brazilian GP: Max Verstappen produced a best lap in one minute and 7.508 seconds to outpace four-time champion Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari in a final flurry.

Lewis Hamilton, who retained his crown in Texas two weeks ago, said he was as keen as ever to win the final events in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, but added that Mercedes can take more risks.

Michael Schumacher suffered a skiing accident on December 29, 2013 which resulted in a brain injury that has caused him to be bedridden and unable to speak for the past five years.

The goal to eliminate the sport carbon footprint includes not only race cars on the track but the entire F1 circus that accompanies the sport.

Lewis Hamilton, now the second most successful driver of all time behind seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, flew to New York after Sunday's race.

Niki Lauda died in May at the age of 70 and the Austrian legend was very much in the mind of Lewis Hamilton after he secured the 2019 title.

Lewis Hamilton sealed his sixth world title, leaving him one adrift of Michael Schumacher on seven.

Valtteri Bottas, the only man who can delay Lewis Hamilton's celebrations, kept alive his own faint and unlikely statistical hopes.