Lewis Hamilton said his fightback from first-lap contact to finish ninth in Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix was "a horrible way" to cl𓂃inch his fourth Formula 1 world championship, having been unaware of the title permutations during the race.

Hamilton dropped toꦯ last after contact with title rival Sebastian Vettel at Turn 3 left the Mercedes driver with a left-rear puncture, leaving him to fight his way back up the order through the race with a chunk of his rear diffuser missing.

With Vettel also falling back and only finishing fourth, Hamilton was confi🌱rmed as world champion ▨at the chequered flag, but admitted he felt uncomfortable throughout the race.

"It was a horrible🍃 way to do💮 it to be honest! But what could I do?" Hamilton said.

"I told you I wasn't going to go easy at Turn 1, and I don't think I was too aggressive or anything like that. I placed my car in just the perfect p𓆏osition. I'm looking forward to seeing the replay, but I le💝ft a lot of space for the car behind. I kept going and I kept coming back.

"I've got to say a big thank yo꧙u to all the guys at Brixworth and Brackley. Guys, thank you all so much for all your hard work. Winning the constructors' championship this year was already a huge feat, and helping me achieve this incredible accomplishment, I'm so grateful."

Hamilton continually asked his🥂 Mercedes🃏 engineer about the title permutations throughout the race, and admitted he was never fully aware of if the title would be decided.

"Today was the most unusual [race]. Being 40 seconds behind is horrible, it's like being in No Man's Land, but you just have to keep thinking forwards to the future," Hamilt🌟on said.

"I had no idea what was going to happen in the championship to be honest, I was just 💖thinking about getting further up and catching and getting involved in the race. This is such a difficult track, if not the worst track to follow. So trying to get past people was a disaster.

"To be honest, I guess the feelings are so mixed right now. And t🎃hen I ran the last part of the t⛎rack so I'm a bit thirsty..."

When asked how many titles would be enough for him, Hamilton said: "I just kind of think you shouldꦯ take it one day at a time. I'm really happy with this fourth. ♚I'm really going to have take some time to really think about it.

"I'm proud of the flag and everyone ♔that represents it, and that those who are watching a💎re happy with this year's result, and I'll continue to rise it as high as I can."