Nico Rosberg held off Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton to claim a pole-to-flag victory at the Mexico Grand Prix on Sunday.

Rosberg took pole for the fourth time in as many races at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and, after losing out to Hamilton the previous three races, was faultless from start to finish as he claimed maximum points.

Mercedes team-mate Hamilton was handed a late lifeline when Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel crashed out on lap 53, bringing out the safety car and erasing Rosberg's advantage of 3.5 seconds.

But Rosberg was able to re-establish a lead when the safety car returned to the pits to secure triumph at the remodelled circuit, which was hosting the first Mexican Grand Prix since 1992.

Hamilton completed a Mercedes one-two, with Valtteri Bottas - who had earlier forced Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen to retire when he collided with his fellow Finn's rear tyre - finished third.

The Red Bulls of Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo were fourth and fifth but, after witnessing Hamilton ring in a second straight world title at the United States Grand Prix, it was Rosberg's turn to celebrate as he looks to finish another fruitless individual campaign on a high.