Mexico City - Nico Rosberg put his Texas blues behind him on Sunday to win the first Mexican Grand Prix in 23 years and show triple world champion Mercedes team mate Lewis Hamilton how it feels to finish second.

The German's fourth victory of the year, and 12th of his career, ended Hamilton's three-race winning streak a week after the Briton secured his third title.

On a sunny afternoon, with the 135,000-strong crowd creating a party atmosphere, the Briton was left feeling sore after questioning a team instruction to pit for fresh tires after Rosberg had already done so.

The German, whose late mistake in Austin handed Hamilton the victory that clinched the title, led cleanly away from pole position and finished 1.9 seconds ahead after also setting the fastest lap.

It was Mercedes' 10th one-two in 17 races.

"This is really the best podium of the year, what a place to win" said Rosberg, addressing a cheering mass of more than 100,000 from a podium overlooking the stadium complex.

"Amazing day, great race," added the German.

With both championships already decided, Mercedes having retained their constructors' crown in Russia last month, the race win was all that mattered for the dominant duo at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.

Rosberg's win lifted him to second in the championship, 21 points clear of Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel who failed to score after a crash that brought out the safety car on the 52nd of the 71 laps. The German was unhurt.

Finland's Valtteri Bottas finished third for Williams.