2016 Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg has labelled former teammate and rival Lewis Hamilton a "well-deserving" champion after the Briton secured his fourth title at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Hamilton clashed with title rival Sebastian Vettel at the first corner in Mexico -- forcing both drivers to make an early pit stop after suffering a puncture and front wing damage respectively. Vettel recovered with a strong recovery drive to fourth, but an eighth place finish for Hamilton proved enough for him to clinch his fourth world championship, moving him level with Vettel in the record books.
Rosberg and Hamilton endured a fierce rivalry as teammates at Mercedes, as the pair slung it out between themselves for drivers' world titles between 2014 and 2016, with Hamilton coming out on top in 2014 and 2015, before Rosberg hit back to seal his maiden world championship in 2016.