Defending Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was on pole at the Mexican Grand Prix and looking to take the checkered flag for the second straight week. The Briton needed another victory to keep alive his hopes of overtaking Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg in the drivers standings and retaining his title.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Oct. 30, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)

The Briton did not get off to the smooth start he envisioned. Hamilton established a lead as the race got underway, but appeared to misjudge his turn at the first corner and ran wide onto the grass before quickly recovering.

Rosberg chased down Max Verstappen on the 50th lap, with the German moving into second behind Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel tried to overtake Verstappen for third on the 68th lap. The Red Bull driver locked and ran wide but maintained his position. The Ferrari pitwall believied that should be a penalty, and Vettel was livid.

Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo used some shady teamwork, and the Dutch teen’s previous block of the German invrred a five-second penalty that costs him a podium place.

Meanwhile, Hamilton cruised to an eight-second victory over Rosberg for his second straight win. The Brit cut his teammate’s lead in the standings to 19 points with two races remaining, as he lifted a trophy for the eighth time this year, and sweeps the three North American events.

Vettel was initially awarded third, but later penalized 10 seconds for dangerous driving. This falls under a new rule instituted before last week’s U.S. Grand Prix. Ricciardo was bumped up to third, but the review came after the ceremony.

Mercedes team coordinator Tony Walton, Mercedes British driver Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes German driver Nico Rosberg and Ferrari German driver Sebastian Vettel (from L to R) pose on the podium after the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Oct. 30, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)

In the title chase, Hamilton needs to win the final two races in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. He also must hope Rosberg does not take second in one of those events, and third in the other, or the German will clinch his first championship.

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium after the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Oct. 30, 2016. (Xinhua/Str)