Highlights - US Grand Prix Formula 1

Previously on Formula 1. Hamilton wins. An accident! Incredible.

Fantastic show, guys. Race 16. Boston, USA.

It has been 42 years since Jackie Stewart won his third World

Championship, he is the only British driver to have won the treble, so

far. Stewart holds the line and it is

almost a dead heat. Nobody had ever seen the finish of a motor race like

that. I was very proud to have done that

and then would like to think in a little way that they hope Lewis

might be as proud as I felt. Jackie Stewart is the new world champion on

Formula 1. I like to see him in a car, he sits in a car well, looks

like a cosy week kit -- cosy we cockpit. Great natural talent. Good

car control. Sometimes overdrive is. By winning his next World

Championship he might back off a little bit, if he does that, he

might go faster and he might earn a lot more World Championships. One of

the great drives at Silverstone, Lewis Hamilton wins the British

Grand Prix. And the boyhood dream comes true for Lewis Hamilton. His

first world championship was very iffy towards the end, could have

gone either way. 2008 Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton! The

second world championship. Lewis Hamilton is the 2014 world champion.

World champion! My God, can believe it, thank you so much, guys.

Sometimes I think he is a little bit aggressive when he might not need to

be but on the other hand that is why he has popped out in front of his

team-mate. They go side-by-side with Hamilton but Hamilton just able to

fend him off. I think he has matured very well, he has delivered

extremely well, he made a decision to go to Mercedes-Benz exactly on

the right time, it was his decision and nobody else's. The right

decisions at the right time. It is true all of us who have won multiple

world champion, it is not always to do with our driving. Fantastic show,

flawless all weekend, as always. I hope he wins on Sunday, I would like

to share that with him. What a truly magical season this is turning into

for Lewis Hamilton. Well the champagne before and for

Lewis Hamilton today? Tank you for joining us at the circuit of the

Americas in Austin, Texas at what has become an extraordinary weekend

for Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton gets his first opportunity to become a

triple world champion, to join Sir Jackie Stewart but the adverts

weather conditions really have caused all manner of problems. They

have and the changing weather looks like and will play a part, the first

time we have seen some weekend. Our whole wide range of strategies that

could be played out. Turning out to be a controversial Austin Grand

Prix. Sessions have had to be cancelled, we had to run qualifying

this morning and in qualifying, QC was cancelled. The amount of

standing water. -- Q3 was cancelled. The cars couldn't deal with the

water on the racetrack. Qualifying did eventually take place, we are

about to start the Grand Prix and the conditions look like they will

dry up. The sun is about to come out. On behalf of Iain Lewers on

track this weekend, he looks sublime. He has had an incredible

year, got on top of the year is that he had in qualifying last year. This

year has been a different story together and has tried to hang in

there but Lewis has just had the upper hand.

the Silver Arrows are kings of the Constructors' Championship. They

clinched the title in Russia a fortnight ago.

As we were talking about, the weather has been all over the place

as the sun peeks through the clouds but qualifying this morning was a

very damp affair. Carlos Sainz put his car on the

white line in qualifying which meant no grip and no chance, he hit the

barriers and are hoping his team can get his Toro Rosso ready in time for

the race. Valtteri Bottas was one of many drivers who lost control in Q2,

the rain fell heavier and the finish rider failed to reach the final

session of qualifying for only the second time this year. Sebastian

Vettel did this in Q1. He got out in time and managed to get into Q2.

Nico Rosberg had gone quicker than Lewis Hamilton in that session and

as the rain worsened conditions were deemed too dangerous to work so

there wasn't a top ten shoot out on the grid was shaped on how it

finished in Q2, meaning Rosberg took his third consecutive pole position.

Lewis Hamilton will not mind Rosberg in front, the two times he has won

on the circuit he has darted from second.

The first time both Force India cars have started on that role since

rain. David, those penalties for Ferrari

only add to help Lewis, but how important is it to get pole position

here? Lewis has won from pole position -- second position twice.

When it comes to wheel-to-wheel action, Lewis has more often than

not, on top against Nico Rosberg, the thing that should support Nico

is that it makes it damp and it makes it difficult for Lewis to find

a way past. The track is drying out and you get a dry mind quite quickly

out here. The overall track temperature has been quite low and

that will mean it will take longer than we would have seen in the

past, that said, we have been watching some of the mechanics

trying their pet boxes and they have done it quickly, we have got to

imagine they will be getting onto slicks. Do you think the key is

getting the timing right from going from wets to intermediates. That is

the key, something that is so random, one lap can make the

difference between getting it right and wrong and it is making that

decision at Petain. There will be some real opportunity. Even somebody

like Ferrari could come through. We can hear from Tom in the pit

lane. Before I talk about strategy, a quick word about two drivers,

Carlos Sainz is in his car ready to take to the grid after his crash in

Q1, Toro Rosso have to replace the front end but that is OK. Valtteri

Bottas has a new gearbox but he will be OK as well. What about strategy,

sunshine, strong tail wind down the pit straight, the conditions now, if

we have no more rain before the start are for an intermediate tyres

start and then it is going to be a case of getting the dry tyres on as

quickly as possible and making as you stops as possible to the end of

the race. Looks like it will be starting an intermediates, let's get

the scene on the grid. Lewis on the cusp of winning three

World Championship, you know something about that stop

significant for a driver? It certainly has but be careful today,

it will be a difficult race, they will start on intermediates, who

takes first chance to go on slicks? They might win the race, they might

go all the way as well. Lewis has to be careful but he has the chance to

win, let's wait and see. You just did your lap to get onto the grid,

how much standing water was there? Not too bad, no obvious rivers,

nothing to be concerned about. I assume we will do our normal race

start, go on the intermediates and if this weather stays with the wind,

we will put on slicks at some point. You could have a great afternoon

today. Could be a lot of fun. Good skills in qualifying, how was

your car on intermediates because you have not had much experience on

those? I don't know, we did one lap on Friday morning, seemed OK now,

usually we are stronger on the fool wets, a bit of a shame that it dried

up and I like the full wet conditions more but that is what it

is and we have to race like this. You have to make the final:

Crossover Button terms of lap time, what did we looking at? We have some

numbers in our head, but all the other cars around but on Friday it

took time for the track to dry up but today, a bit of sunshine, strong

gusts, so I feel like we will be onto slicks quite soon. Having a

look at the grand, your engineer saying no rain expected, when the

think the time will be to switch over to the slicks? On Friday it

took a while to go to dry tyres. Although it was raining and the cars

are running, you would think it is the most critical part of the race

to make sure we go on to the slicks at the right time because you can

gain a lot and was a lot. You have proved you are good in these

conditions, looking forward to this one? I hope we can enjoy the race

and everything goes according to plan and we should be strong.

Another strong performance in qualifying, really difficult

conditions but operate for the race? For sure not so much running

yesterday so very happy with qualifying, we have quite a good car

and we have dizzy with the intermediates but it will be very

interesting. Does it put you under pressure that you have qualifying

and the race in the same day? It is like S3, so it brings back old

memories. -- for military. Nine of these drivers have had any

dry running this weekend but the big question is, can Batman, can Lewis

Hamilton make this the land of the three -- can Batman. This is the

Lewis Hamilton's opportunity to earn his third world title lies before

him in Austin, he starts on the right-hand side as we look at it,

Nico Rosberg has the controlling position from pole position but

plenty of space heading up towards the first corner to make something

happen. Very long hold. What's going on here? Ready to go now, the red

lights come on, lights out and away legal, Rosberg against Hamilton,

even start, Ricciardo going with them but Hamilton has the chance to

get up the inside, he has got the chance, Rosberg trying to go

wheel-to-wheel, they run why, Rosberg is pushed out, that might

give the Red Bulls a chance to join in, Rosberg squeezed down to fourth

place, Hamilton worked that to his advantage. The Russian has gone into

second ahead of Ricciardo and Rosberg is back in fifth, been

passed by Perez and chased by Hulkenberg. That is what desperation

will do, he tried as the litter hang on to that position on the run-in

turn on and Hamilton on the racing line. Really up against it, the Red

Bulls are right on Hamilton's tail. Yellow flag, must have been an

incident in the first sector. Hamilton going a bit defensive early

on, he will have his mind on making his tyres last the distance. The

offset on straight lines be between the Mercedes and the Red Bull but

they will pick up on the slipstream. Daniil Kvyat, the Russian is going

for it, he has never let a Grand Prix, not in a situation like this.

He's going wheel-to-wheel with somebody like Hamilton. Rosberg

going round the outside. He has got past Perez. Jenson Button fantastic

start. Battling the Sebastian Vettel, who has also started well.

Try to get past Ricardo. I'm not sure, he will be coming around in

that position but a long way back. He went very wait between 17 and 18.

That has allowed Rosberg to catch up. They have got some dry line as

it comes through the second last turn and they can use that just to

stabilise the car. Verstappen has had a better first lap. RADIO:

Puncher. Puncture. Two punchers. They could

have tangled. They were similar places on the grid and we have to

look at the replays. Front wing for Bottas. He is in for the change and

it is never easy, could have been involved, Sauber in trouble as well,

he has lost his front wing. Further contact. Felipe Nasr with damage to

the front end, Bottas putting slick tyres on, that will be interesting,

he will be the first to switch onto the slicks. Looks a little bit too

early for the next couple of laps. Sauber on Sauber. The worst scenario

for a team when two drivers come together. Contact made between them

and we have had several pet visitors, Alexander Rossi, the

American, has had to come in for a pit stop, whether that is for damage

as well, we're not sure. Bottas going on those slicks, not a lot of

standing water but a lot of spray so he will really struggle initially

but he will be in the test case for every other team to see at what

point he starts getting closer. Writing in making a move on Button

in the background, the Ferrari sloping past the McLaren, which is

also now being chased by Carlos Sainz, coming from the back, good

effort from Carlos Sainz and stayed out of trouble where several cars

have picked up punctures. Having a go down the inside, should be able

to complete the manoeuvre, he has. Carlos Sainz up into 10th, 11th

place now. Great effort, starting from the very back of the field and

Vettel is also picking up places and attacking Hulkenberg, that is

Alexander Rossi. No, is it going to end this early for the American?

Problem with the right rear, on board with Vettel. Eating pressure

on Hulkenberg. Not as comfortable in the intermediate conditions.

Rosberg, surprisingly dropping back from the back of the Red Bulls.

Vettel trying to move his way back of the order. Kvyat fastest on

everybody, lots of debris. I'm surprised the race Derek hasn't put

the safety car to clear that debris. -- the race director. Carbon fibre

is very sharp. There might be debris on Turn 1.

Just looking in the pits, Stevens is in trouble in the Marussia, the car

being pushed away as Felipe Nasr has had a new front wing fitted but it

was Will Stevens's car that was being pushed away and Alexander

Rossi is still out there. Hamilton got away pretty well off the line.

That's what allowed him to get on the inside of Rosberg Rosberg just

had to try to run it out the outside and then Hamilton absolutely on the

limit and that is what we didn't see, Alonso going around and who

else was he involved with? The initial getaway that Hamilton really

taste, the Red Bulls, great performance. Watch the middle pack.

Fernando Alonso just got smacked by Felipe Massa. Just a pure racing

incident, no malice in that at all, just unfortunate. They all ran cold

into the first corner. That was actually a textbook intermediate

start, no wheel spin but his initial reaction was not as good and there

is the little team-mates's case to say this is my corner. Is that

justifiable? Is that within the bounds? Absolutely, Hamilton was

running the braking zone, I don't think there was no driving off the

circuit malice. You see the initial getaway, just to sit up and by the

time that momentum carries him into the first corner, this is clearly

Hamilton's corner, Rosberg, fair play for having a go but Hamilton is

on the limit. They touch. That is where Rosberg paid the penalty for

him taking the gamble and running wheel-to-wheel with Hamilton.

Unfortunately for him, this is history repeating itself, every time

they go wheel-to-wheel, Hamilton comes out in front and then all hell

breaks loose in the middle of the pack. Massa was involved in that.

Bottas with the slicks, presumably, getting well out of the way. Just no

grip. The team, I guess, they have chosen to go with the slicks early.

It is just not there at the moment. Look at the way that Hamilton, still

being hounded by Daniil Kvyat. Great stuff from Kvyat, staying in touch

with Lewis Hamilton. Felipe Nasr has been back into the pits to swap onto

intermediates. Hamilton looks like he is burning and his rear tyres,

the car is snaking around as he goes through some of the medium speed

turns, you can see at an traction. Doesn't seem too bad on the traction

phase but when he is loading the rear axle the car sliding around and

as we have discussed before, when you start working the wheel, you

take away the downforce and a new compound the difficulties you have.

Kvyat getting himself on the into position where he could pass

Hamilton. Let's keep an eye on that. Keep an eye on Carlos Sainz in

your, in 10th place. Kammy Raikonnen sparking away. Maximum download and

Raikonnen himself is also trying to get past Hulkenberg and Hulkenberg

is trying to defend that place, round the outside comes the Ferrari

and watch out from behind, Carlos Sainz might be able to take

advantage of both of these guys, Raikonnen gets past the Force India

and Carlos Sainz goes down the inside. And I think he has pulled

that manoeuvre off beautifully, Hulkenberg had to give way in the

end. Virtual safety car has been called, the leaders have slowed down

and they were very close to one another, this means that we will not

see the safety car on track, they have to drive to a predetermined

slower speed and no overtaking is allowed. They will be monitoring

that speed. Will anybody behind them decide to go into the pits at this

point? Based on Bottas's times, it doesn't look like the opportunity is

there. Going into Turn 1, we missed this. Kvyat getting a past on and

then Hamilton came back at him before the safety car came out.

Hamilton struggling with the tyres, gives him an opportunity to try to

cool the intermediate to look out for that -- how far back he was able

to come from but not stay on the racing line. Good effort from Kvyat,

but did not quite come off. Bottas coming in to retire, all over for

the Williams driver, had a new gearbox for the race but involved in

a few bits and pieces and it is all over, I'm afraid. Virtual safety car

is ending and the race gets underway once again and Lewis Hamilton

launches himself. Rosberg has got past Ricciardo, Rosberg has taken

full advantage of the safety car ending and as long as he did it

after they got the signal that is OK but Ricciardo presumably caught

napping, so Hamilton leads, Kvyat in second place, Rosberg is up to

third, Ricciardo up there in force. Still difficult to judge conditions,

Rosberg having a much better turn into turn 12 as they head down the

next section, turn 11 Onto The St, with a big bumps. Kvyat will be a

sitting duck with the speed of Mercedes. Here comes Rosberg. Much

faster then a straight line, 11 miles an hour the difference in

qualifying. Hamilton Mike Grella that he held the pack up and went

slower, -- Hamilton might regret that he held the pack up, as was his

want. He has actually given an advantage. RADIO: You will

double-check. Was it done, did Rosberg do it at the right moment

did he time it perfectly? Let's have a look at the restart with a virtual

safety car. Interesting, he kind of backed off and then went for it, of

question at what point the pooled the virtual safety car. Can we read

anything. Whether that is their signal to say it has gone, if it is,

then that was sharp move from Nico, would be easier for us all if they

just restarted the race from the start-finish line. It just throws

another aspect which is difficult for us to follow and explain to the

viewers at home. Grosjean has not looked like a very tasty pit stop.

They are putting him on to the skateboard to take him back into the

pits. Kvyat having a look at the inside of Rosberg, has he gone to

wide? Ricciardo comes back. Almost side-by-side with his own team it

and Ricciardo has the chance to slot in behind. Look out for Daniel in

the braking zone, but decides to go safe but ten out of ten for having a

go, Rosberg goes wide. Ricciardo goes to second, he makes the move

and Rosberg will be kicking himself having lost the position. RADIO: Not

see it coming back onto the track. Complaining about Kvyat but what

affected him more than that is that Ricciardo has gone past him.

Ricciardo chases after Lewis Hamilton. You have to come back on

the circuit that if you are aware of that, you are a competitor, there is

not a handbook about the exit to that corner, clearly just

distracted. Bobridge in moment, down the inside, carries too much speed,

runs off the circuit, let's just watch this. I'm sorry, I don't

agree, there was nothing dangerous about that at all, he past you fair

and square, he took the consequence for being overoptimistic and that

the point he comes back on, you have already reacted to it which is

understandable. You saw what was happening, as did Ricciardo, it is

just what happens in racing. Absolutely, Kvyat could not have

anything different, had ago, didn't work and put the car back on and the

best possible place but Rosberg just made a mistake. We have to assume,

we don't know when the radio message was played. The frustration took

away his concentration and he made a mistake will stop writing is still

battling with Verstappen. RADIO: Wider, I don't get the DRS. We will

check for performance. He has just been passed by the other Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz. Carlos Sainz has taken full advantage of that and gone past

the Ferrari as he is struggling, apparently with DRS, behind them is

Hulkenberg. Not having the same race as his team-mate, Perez. After the

earlier problems, he is down in 10th place. Meanwhile, Ricciardo, the

fastest man of all and 0.5 seconds behind Hamilton as he crossed the

line, getting himself hooked up and difficult to run in the dirty air of

the car in front but this really trying to stay within the DRS on.

Kvyat has dropped out of the group. With Ricciardo. See how close you

can get a Hamilton, the tyres started to struggle, getting close

to the point where people will make the crossover to slicks. The

straight line speed advantage of Hamilton. OK on the acceleration of

this turn. Why show some racing cars on the circuit when you can show a

man in the pit lane. Anyway. DRS wide-open for Daniel. That will keep

them within touch of Hamilton. That is all it does because he hasn't got

the straight-line speed. He had to find somewhere else around to

overtake but there are a few opportunities. We all know how tough

Hamilton will be to pass, fighting to try to wrap up the World

Championship in the United States, back on board with Timmy Raikkonen,

still battling the Carlos Sainz -- Kimi Raikkonen. Carlos Sainz bank

behind him. As full says you would want to be. Great battle going on

here. Fantastic to see one of the most experienced drivers in writing

and mixing it with two of the least experienced, good example if you are

good enough you are old enough and if you are good enough, you are not

too old. Still they are with Carlos Sainz chasing after the Ferrari.

Look at the way the Ferrari moves around. That is where Raikonnen

struggled last time around as well, very wide out onto the care and not

able to get quick close enough to the Toro Rosso in front. Carlos will

get a better drive of the last time. Ricciardo having another go to get

past Hamilton, almost, I wonder how close he was before we picked that

up. He was almost alongside as we picked it up on the exit of turn on.

Perfect opportunity to stay with this lead battle and follow the

action, a lot of other action happening through the pack, but this

is where all eyes will be. Hamilton doesn't need to win this Grand Prix

to win the championship, just as dementia he has enough points over

his team-mate, Rosberg. -- he just has to make sure.

Max Verstappen holds. But Ricciardo can sense a real opportunity here

today. Max Verstappen holds somehow they both get away with it. Daniel

Ricciardo has found the space. Now, how do the Mercedes react? He used

that tighter section of the last part of the lap. The question is,

can he get enough of the gap to not be attacked under DRS on the back

stretch? Just able to hold a much tighter line through that long 16,

1718. As they come towards 19, he has got the track position. Hamilton

going round, he just gets slightly off that wider line. You see him

working the wheel, almost slick tyres. That was a brilliant pass by

Ricciardo. We have not seen many overtakes partly due to the

conditions but he has gone through and Red Bull lead the race. Look at

this, Hamilton and Rosberg side-by-side at the end of the

straight. Ricciardo still leads but Rosberg was right there with him.

Heap at the handbrake on. Again you can see his tyres getting towards

the end of their life, the intermediates. Has he managed to

maintain the momentum? I think he has. He's just passed a four-time

world champion down at turn 11. Absolutely brilliant. Can he hold it

there? That is the question. He has got DRS because he was the 1 in

front and that has worked perfectly for him. Oh no, Max Verstappen has

run wide, what a shame. It's back to Max Verstappen against Raikkonen

again. Raikkonen sees an opportunity here coming into this twisty section

down into 15. Again Max Verstappen taking that shallow defensive line.

Into this long treble corner. He gets wide. This is where Daniel

Ricciardo passed Hamilton. Max Verstappen able to bring this car

back towards the racing line. Carlos Sainz might have a look, but he

decides against it. Moving off the dry line, we saw the impact. Another

fastest lap for Daniel Ricciardo, let's listen in.

RADIO: OK Daniel, we dictate when we stop. They are really looking after

the tyres as well. Kimi Raikkonen now well-placed again. He is in a

Toro Rosso sandwich here right now between these two youngsters. Next

year it's quite possible the Toro Rosso team will be running Ferrari

engine. That is an interesting little slander on what is going on

at the moment. Max Verstappen showing us what a brilliant talent

he is, and Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen was the fastest through

the speed trap Indians immediate point. He gained a huge amount

there. We know that Jenson Button has gone to the slicks. He has made

that work in the past. Rosberg having a go at getting passed

Hamilton. Can he hold on? Yes he will. They will still be

side-by-side in to turn 13. You would think they would have to give

each other space, as team-mates, but Hamilton has shown he can be

aggressive. Rosberg has gone past him, we don't see that often,

Rosberg fighting his way past Lewis Hamilton. Who will blink first four

tyres? It is going to be Hamilton in first. Kvyat chasing down the other

Mercedes because Rosberg will have to stay out. Hamilton would have got

choice because he was ahead. He has lost a couple of seconds on the in

lap and that can be crucial. He will be early on to slicks for these

guys. We haven't seen him complete a sector yet. Hamilton going on to the

soft, slick tyre and on his way once again. Is he still going to win the

championship today? It is all wide open on this point. Vettel has come

in and so has Max Verstappen. It will be interesting to see how they

get on. A big lock up there. It looks to me that it is still maybe a

lap early for these tyres. At this point Hamilton would be quicker on

the intermediates. Eriksen has gone fastest in the middle sector. Is he

on the soft tyres? He is. The first sector still looks a bit damp. Keep

an eye on Button's times. You have him coming across the line any time

soon and that will just confirm where we're. It looks like Daniel

Ricciardo might react to this next time around. Magnus Eriksen has just

gone fastest in the final sector. Hamilton has to capitalise if he's

going to stay in front of his team-mate, Rosberg. All the evidence

is there now, you have got Ericsson delivering the time is now. DRS in

effect and that was Hamilton just riding with those tyres. We have

said many times that Hamilton just instinctively knows wheel to wheel.

Let's see if Ricciardo comes in on this lap. I think he is probably

going to head into the pits... Yes, Ricciardo is in. The race leader is

into the pits. Red Bull go to work and put the slick tyres on and away

he goes. Slight delay. Kvyat is coming in on the same lap. Is this

the perfect lap? This will be interesting. Hamilton, the point at

which his team decided to bring him in. Look for Hamilton in the

background, just coming round the last corner now. Where will everyone

come out at the end of it. Hamilton is at full speed heading down the

straight here. These guys will struggle to stop the car with the

braking. Kvyat sliding on the struggle to stop the car with the

tyres. Hamilton trying to go around the outside on his heated tyres but

it didn't work for him, he actually lost time as a result. It's worked

well for Ricciardo but not so well for Hamilton. He now finds himself

behind Rosberg and Kvyat. The damage was done when he was battling with

Rosberg on his in lap. He went from half a second in front to at least a

second and a half behind and that can be critical. As Jenson Button

does the fastest lap in the Grand Prix. And all because he chose

slicks when he did. As ever, he has chosen well. Oh! There goes

Raikkonen! This will be a safety car if he can't get it going. Can he

drive it out of the barrier? That is his rallying experience coming in,

you don't give up until... Look at that, he's going to get it going!

The front wing is very knocked askew but he can hopefully get these --

this thing going. The fans enjoying a bit of Kimi's style, as he does

get the car going. Going through five and six and over the rise. Yes,

as he comes out of six... Well, unlucky. That was another look at

it. He hit the barrier pretty hard. What about front suspension damage?

You would think there would be some damage, but anyway... Kvyat will try

to squeeze back on him and he has done so, sideways from Kvyat and he

retake the place. Rosberg right on the gearbox of Daniel Ricciardo

after that incident running wide. It's all happening here at the

moment. Raikkonen sent on his way once again, taking a mighty impact

and all the data centres will be telling the team that the front

suspension is OK. Here comes Rosberg, he's going to reclaim the

lead. He does, he goes past Danny Ricciardo, who is still slicking

around on the brakes. Hamilton gets part Kvyat. Ricciardo has not given

up on the lead place because Rosberg side-by-side with him but finally

the Mercedes surely does finish off that pass. You can see how far

Sebastian battle is going at this point, but Hamilton was fastest in

that middle sector with the benefit of the tow. Nothing really that

could be done by Daniil Kvyat. Hulkenberg has got past Carlos

Sainz. Just a moment or two ago. Hulkenberg is flying right now. But

another massively fastest lap by Nico Rosberg as that track continues

to dry up but overtaking gets more difficult because you have to move

off-line. Having said that, Vettel gets into third place and the

Ferrari is flying. Hamilton was 1.2 seconds slower than Rosberg last

time around. Is he nursing an issue with the front axle?

RADIO: Felipe, it's a problem, we need to retire the car. Oh no, we're

looking at a double retirement for Williams. Rosberg, another new

fastest lap for him. DRS in operation... Will Daniel Ricciardo

be close enough into turn one? He had a think about it but decided to

follow the Red Bull because when they get to the main straight it

will be easy-peasy for Lewis Hamilton to get past the Red Bull.

This is where it gets difficult for him and it's a super section of race

track, this is like drivers's heaven, high-speed corners and one

coming after another. You see the elevation change as well that has

been cleverly built into this race track. Rising up through the kink

and into turn ten where they had the difficulty qualifying because of

running water. Then this massively wide entry into turn 11. If it were

to finish this way, Lewis Hamilton would not be world champion, not

with Rosberg winning the race and him here in third place. Even second

place wouldn't be enough. Lewis Hamilton draws alongside and

overtake Daniel Ricciardo very easily. Kimi Raikkonen getting out

of the way because he is being lapped after an extra pit stop he

had to make after his crash into the barrier, but Hamilton now had a

chance to go chasing after his team-mate Nico Rosberg. Now Hamilton

is in some clear air. OK Kimi, I'm afraid the right front damage is

going through the roof, so we need to slow down and box. We need to

retire, I'm afraid. The damage was maybe done to the duct. Another

possible retirement, Marcus Ericsson in the Sauber. A full safety car,

not a virtual one. It's all over and all that hard work that Rosberg has

done to build up the gap will now disappear.

RADIO: Safety car. You are staying out. Staying out. Safety car, safety

car. You are staying out. Keep positive. Rosberg has certainly

delivered. Medium tyres going on some of these cars. Sebastian Vettel

trying to do half a race on the medium. Should in theory be able to

do that. We're looking at 28 laps and in theory they had a life of

about 30 laps, the team is reckoned, but they didn't do any dry running,

so it's a bit of an experiment but probably a good decision to bring

Sebastian Vettel in. Max Verstappen has stayed out there. We're into one

of these situations where that won't be resolved until later in the

race. We understand now why the safety car had to be called. They

will go right to the other side of the track for that to be craned out

of the way. Jenson Button also making his pit stop. He's gone on to

the soft tyre, I believe. The safety car is going to be in on this lap.

RADIO: The braking is quite slippery, it's easy to lock up. I'm

afraid I can't comment on line, Lewis. One of the things that was

banned from radio communication that they were able to use but no longer.

A little while ago. Rosberg will control the pace. That is the most

vulnerable we have seen Lewis Hamilton sounding for some time.

Definitely advantage Rosberg. This is going to be difficult for

Hamilton to do anything. The first time we have seen him rope a dope,

pretending he is down and then he bounces back. He's going to let the

field once up and then let the safety car go. If he backs out, lets

the safety car go, makes sure he doesn't catch the safety car by the

time they come through to 19, and he will have to leave the circuit by

the normal pit lane. He's trying to judge now how far ahead he needs to

let the safety car go. If he gets the safety car before the last of

the safety car lines, then he has to back out of it. Hamilton trying to

glue himself to the gearbox of his team-mate's car. Nico Rosberg will

build up the pace, they are all on tyres that are not up to

temperature. Watch for the mistake, it could come from anybody. Rosberg

making a brake already. Sebastian Vettel is in that line. He is chased

by Max Verstappen. Don't forget how good Max Verstappen has proved to be

this afternoon. Hulkenberg is behind him. Good restart so far from Nico

Rosberg. It was up here that Hamilton was worried about the

braking. Vettel gets passed him! Vettel gets passed Daniil Kvyat and

that puts him into fourth edition. Lewis Hamilton went deep as well and

so did Nico Rosberg. Rosberg looks superb at the moment, his car is

working well and he is making the good calls. Right now he's doing

enough to prevent Hamilton from winning the World Championship

today. He may have to wait until next time out in Mexico. Up over the

rise they come. Now Sebastian Vettel and he could still be a threat in a

Ferrari that seems to work well in these slightly changeable

conditions. Verstappen, tucked in behind Daniil Kvyat. They have got

the Mercedes powered Force India behind them. DRS not enabled yet

because we've only just started again after the safety car came in.

Going past Daniel Ricciardo on the outside. Ricciardo fights back on

the inside me while Hulkenberg is side and side. Sebastian Vettel is

true. In the background, he did not quite get past the Sabin. Just

carrying a bit too much speed. Fantastic from Daniel Ricciardo.

Just when you think it was looking like it was over, he has pounced

somewhere and Sebastian Vettel must have made a mistake or left the door

open. Fantastic from Daniel Ricciardo to fight back in this

tight and twisty last section of the track and Sebastian Vettel having to

pay the price and drop behind him again. This is a brilliant Grand

Prix. We haven't seen this kind of close racing for some time and it

just goes to show that whenever we have changeable conditions, it

throws it wide open. Rosberg leading after the restart, from Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel has a chance side-by-side with Ricciardo. Vettel

does take the place again, he is into third. Different tyres in those

cars, we don't know what the offset performance is. We can assume that

the yellow sidewall tyres are the faster to be on but Daniel Ricciardo

struggling as we saw with his team-mate to stop the car into turn

one. Sebastian Vettel was a bit wide but they are all using the curb

quite a lot now, so much drier than it was in wet practice. Max

Verstappen down the inside of Kvyat, and has he done it again? That is

where he made the move on Sebastian Vettel earlier on. It was a

perfectly fair and valid manoeuvre. He may not be happy about being

passed but he has to admire the manner in which it was done. It is

almost three abreast with Ricciardo, as they had out to turn 12.

Ricciardo still just there and Kvyat pays the price, he has lost out to

Hulkenberg as well. Costly for the Russian, dropping behind the Force

India now. Daniil Kvyat extremely wide. Hamilton, I do know a few was

in DRS zone or not but he is still behind Rosberg. He certainly liked

that group didn't he? Look at this, Max Verstappen ahead of Ricciardo.

What has happened to Ricciardo? He is now under pressure from

Hulkenberg as well. Max Verstappen in fourth place, that is where he

finished in Hungary this year. What a drive again from the 18-year-old.

Nico Hulkenberg is making the most of these conditions in the Force

India. Riding on board with the Mercedes power unit with Nico

Hulkenberg. It looks like Ricciardo was struggling with his soft tyres

and Hulkenberg is on the medium compound. Just dropped out of their

operating window. You could see Daniil Kvyat's red light flashing

saying they are unable to deploy any electrical energy. We know as the

track dried out it is where the Mercedes powered cars start to

stretch their legs. Of course Max Verstappen is in a Renault powered

car as well and something is working well for the Toro Rosso here because

now he is in fourth, meanwhile Hamilton is now within DRS range of

Rosberg. RADIO:

INAUDIBLE Down the main straight, presumably.

They may have an issue with the underside of the car, the leading

edge of the underfloor, the teacher I. I guess it resembles a tea

tray... That could be an area of weakness for the Ferrari. Ricciardo

under attack from Hulkenberg. They touch, they make contact. Damage to

Hulkenberg and once again Hulkenberg was involved in the last couple of

Grand Prix of Darts and it was a legitimate attempt, but then the

door just closed and that is it, all over for Hulkenberg. Such a shame,

he crashed out last time and he has gone through a bad sequence and

Carlos Sainz under investigation. This will mean a couple of other

cars moving up. Perez under threat from Button. Button is now in eighth

place, Perez in ninth and chances here for McLaren to score

much-needed points. Last time around, Button was behind Perez.

Nico Rosberg still just in front but up ahead Ricciardo is the 1 who will

be dropping back, still keeping an eye on this little group as well.

Maldonado is at the back of that train. Trying to see if there is

damage to Maldonado's car, seeing from the bodywork. It looks like

maybe just below the infinity sign. RADIO: The car is OK, stay out

otherwise we are ready for you. He says he has got damaged but he's

going to try and stick with it for now. His team-mate getting quicker

and he may have to let him through. He should just zoom by before the

braking zone. Yes, Kvyat is catching and catching. Moves out of the

slipstream quite late. Daniil Kvyat moves into fifth place right now. He

will go after Max Verstappen who has opened up the advantage. Hamilton is

no .7 of a second behind Rosberg. It is Rosberg just managing the race at

this stage, or is Hamilton, as I suggested earlier, is he just faking

some issues and now applying pressure. We will find out soon. If

I were Rosberg, I'm not sure I would be happy having Hamilton less than a

second behind me. Carlos Sainz has been given a 5 second penalty which

will probably be added at the end of the Grand Prix now. That was a late

pull-out, wasn't it. Hamilton is going slowly, very slowly. There is

something wrong for the Mercedes! The safety car is out. Oh! Thank you

for pointing that out. For Hamilton fans, it is because they are having

difficulty recovering that cast quite for the second time in this

race, the virtual safety car. Two virtual safety car 's and one real

one. A long way around the lab. A replay of Hulkenberg and Daniel

Ricciardo, I believe. It was a fairly light kiss. The front wing

was already looking a bit... It was flapping around, there. There was

room, it was a digit at attempt at a pass. It doesn't look to me like

Daniel was closing the door. You see it from this angle. Hulkenberg, on

the brakes, he comes late. But less space. You can't just blame Daniel,

if your trajectory is not going to allow you to turn the corner then of

course you are going to end up... It will be interesting to see what the

stewards think of that. They may put it down as a wheel to wheel incident

because I don't think there was any malice in either part or any intent

by either driver. Daniel, we're stacking the Cards, we are stacking

the cards. I wonder if that means Mercedes will be doing the same

thing. They will bring them both in at the same time and it won't really

affect their battle to much. Given the safety car, it affects more

Hamilton because when you go back out onto track, Hamilton stays out.

Rosberg has been brought in. He had preferential treatment as the race

leader, which is right and proper. He wants to drive now absolutely on

the Delta. He was under speeding the car last time they had the virtual

safety car. Really focus on maximising your lap times. What does

this do for Sebastian Vettel? He may be trying to get through the race on

his set of medium compound tyres. We are expecting Hamilton to come back

in. A real chance here four Sebastian. There is. We will find

out, when you see the stacking you definitely lose extra time. Just

look at the gap that is there between any Ricciardo and his

team-mate when they go back out on track. They don't have the benefit

of a full safety car when you can speed back onto the gearbox of the

car in front, you are now usual light to a Delta time. Medium

compound tyres for both of the Red Bulls. I think it is a soft tyre for

Ricciardo. Ricciardo has gone out on the soft but Daniil Kvyat is on the

medium. Second place for the moment behind Hamilton. We have got a car

behind. He may be going to the end. And you are not, because I'm sure

he's going to need to make a pit stop. He stopped on lap 18. Too far

to go on this soft tyre, so we expect presumably to see him in at

the end of this lap. Is he going to do something slightly different?

Well, if he has doubts then he has to go and make the stop now. Because

once the race restarts, they can go the distance. What is the tyre

situation? We are going to have a look at the tyres now, Lewis, and

make an assessment. He says he wants information now because we don't

know how long this virtual safety car... Actually, it is ending. Lewis

Hamilton on the charge, he now leads this Grand Prix which is where he

needs to be and he can wrap up the title. But he is due another pit

stop. As they come through it will be Vettel in second place and he's

going to go all the way to the end on the tyres that he's on, now.

Could he go the distance? Everything would suggest they don't have the

life in those tyres. The pace has been lower than we've seen in

previous Austin Grand Prix, and there have been plenty of safety

lapse to take some energy out of his tyres. It has to be worth a punt.

Alonso is leaking -- sneaking down the inside of Paras. Carlos Sainz is

trying to do the same thing but that isn't quite on and he doesn't make

it. Rosberg hideaway is tucked in behind Max Verstappen. Rosberg came

over the line seven tenths of a second behind Max Verstappen. Right

at the bike you have got Pastor Maldonado running in ninth place and

here you are, Max Verstappen in front of him. This is turn 11.

You've got to presume he would be able to make an easy pass here. The

difference in speed between the two cars with DRS is evident. The

problem for Hamilton is that when he went across the line in the

restart, he was only 8.9 seconds behind Hamilton. The time to come

into the pit lane, take on tyres and rejoin would be considerably more

than that. Hamilton right now among the pack with Maldonado in ninth

place. This is not working well for Hamilton and his hopes of winning

here and winning the championship. We need to find another ten seconds

to Vettel. That is asking quite a lot, you would think. He gained a

10th on him in that last lap. Rosberg was 8 cents a second faster

on fresh tyres. A new fastest lap for Nico Rosberg. The incident

between Ricciardo and Hulkenberg will be looked at after the race.

Vettel now under pressure from a freshly tired Mercedes. I don't

think this is going to be a contest for very long. Both have had three

victories this year but Vettel and Rosberg. Vettel is currently ahead

of Rosberg in the championship. I don't think there's much he can do

and Rosberg surges through and back into what is second place and goes

chasing after team-mate Hamilton who may be trying to get to the of the

Grand Prix but whatever he does, surely he's going to become victim

to his team-mate and Rosberg is going to continue the championship

struggle for a little bit longer. That is a man on the move, DRS

against no DRS makes a big difference in straight-line speed,

as is shown there and you know when you are the car behind with DRS, you

are able to judge at what point you will catch the car in front, so not

under any pressure in breaking, so Rosberg is a man on the move and

unless something happens, and there has been plenty of action so far

this afternoon but otherwise Rosberg will get onto the back of Hamilton

pretty quickly and I don't see how Hamilton on those tyres can defend.

Alonso has caught Button, not a big difference in specification between

the two Honda engines. Trash! Kvyat on the wall. He has hit it hard. --

crash. This might be a lifeline for Hamilton in terms of giving him some

more opportunity on the tire. I crashed, sorry guys. Sorry. Sounds

like it was his mistake, nobody else involved but he is clearly OK, right

front damage and Kvyat is out of the Grand Prix. What happened? Get onto

the artificial grass and unfortunately spins him around. The

grass holds the water. Ricciardo was too close for comfort, thankfully

managed to avoid it. We will see Hamilton heading into the pits

shortly as Rosberg will become race leader once again. Where will

Hamilton come out? A gap to Verstappen who is just coming

through, 19, could bring him out just behind Rosberg and Vettel. Just

passing the start- finished now and Vettel has come in. Not happy about

getting to the end of the race on that set of tyres. Hamilton back out

on the soft tyre as well, I think, that means that Rosberg has retaken

the lead. Hamilton came just behind Verstappen, looking at our circuit

tracker. Hamilton has, in front of Verstappen, excuse me. That means it

is game on. When the safety car picks up the pack, it will bring

everybody bunched up, Hamilton on the fresher tyres. It has worked out

really well for Hamilton, Carlos Sainz in the Toro Rosso for his

final pit stop and soul was Pastor Maldonado going ahead of him.

Sebastian Vettel will not have the pace to choose the Mercedes, but who

knows? The safety car will be back in again and the end of this lap and

Rosberg and Hamilton will be in a straight jewel because Max

Verstappen is in third and he will be busy trying to protect his

position. RADIO: You will have ten laps remaining, just keep it nice

and clean. Rosberg goes, we'll spin on the restart as he launches into

these tyres, they have lost temperature and Verstappen, what a

great restart, Sebastian Vettel right behind him. Great restart by

Rosberg and Hamilton knows he has a bit of time, he doesn't have to take

a risk on the restart, he will look at the additional advantage he has

from his fresher tyres to close that gap but Verstappen looking very

racy, coming under medium pressure from Vettel, looking up the inside

in to turn on and not quite close enough to get alongside the Toro

Rosso. Alonso right behind them and then Perez chased by Ricciardo and

Button under threat as Maldonado is ahead of Carlos Sainz. Fantastic

from Verstappen, resisting the pressure from Vettel who showed his

nose as they ran up into Turn 1 but he resisted the pressure and didn't

lock-up and maintains the third-place position. This is the

key area for Vettel to get close because they are coming down to the

straight although he will not have DRS he has got Ferrari horsepower at

against Renault engine in the back of the Toro Rosso and Verstappen

looking for as deep and entry into the corner as he could possibly get

to get a quick exit and this is the opportunity for Vettel, he has done

it already in this race and it looks as though he will be able to do it

fairly simply once again, at potential podium for Verstappen.

Norway that he can defend from the Ferrari, he drops back to fourth

with Alonso behind him. Maldonado unbuttoned, side-by-side, they have

made contact already this year a couple of times and they just

touched on and Carlos Sainz is going to look after me is one of them if

not both, he has managed to squeeze in between but not getting past

Button at the same time. Fantastic opportunism from Carlos Sainz, still

all over the back of Button, has to be careful not to leave the door

open for Maldonado when it was into the of the race track down towards

19. But inwardly protecting their position in the McLaren, trying to

make a break from Carlos Sainz, Rosberg leads, Hamilton, 1.6 seconds

behind, another billion restart from Rosberg. Lock-up from Hamilton. Not

as well-positioned for the restart once again, Hamilton. Alonso keeping

Perez behind him at the moment. Alonso in fifth position, that would

match his best of the season so far, that was an hungry this season.

Perez in sixth, Ricciardo in the hunt in seventh, do not discount the

Red Bull, which was so quick in the damp conditions earlier on in this

Grand Prix and now on a fresher set of tyres, whereas Alonso is an tyres

that have done plenty of laps and so is Perez, Ricciardo could be the one

to watch. Hamilton has managed to pull a couple of tenths on Rosberg

in the first sector. The middle sector will be quite telling, well

back from having a DRS performance advantage, this is pure pace against

these. advantage, this is pure pace against

pressure from Carlos Sainz, a Honda engine against the Renault power

pressure from Carlos Sainz, a Honda unit. A little opportunity for Perez

to close up on Alonso. Alonso keeps them behind for now, Button

continues to defend and Carlos Sainz. Both McLarens in the mix,

great to see, it has not happened much this year at all. Carlos Sainz

chasing Jenson Button. As a live down the inside, he had a go, Carlos

Sainz and he might have pulled it off as Rosberg and Hamilton. Where

is Hamilton? He has taken the lead. Rosberg has made a mistake. Zero x

six seconds ahead and it was coming out of 15. In terms of a race battle

that we wanted, what a disappointment, looking forward to

wheel-to-wheel dice between those two but it means that Hamilton is

where he needs to be to win the championship. A fastest lap as well

putting the pressure on Rosberg and Rosberg was the one that faltered

and made a mistake, Vettel chases after him, Vettel can get past

Rosberg, then the championship is not decided. RADIO: What happened

there? Problem of the top line, trying to catch. Vettel try to

understand what has gone on, some great racing going on but Hamilton

is in front and is right now heading for his third world title, in such

dramatic fashion, Carlos Sainz all over the back of the Red Bull of

Ricciardo, looks down the inside. And Ricciardo has to give him space.

Good from Button to take advantage of that. Doesn't quite get the drive

of the turn, coming over some standing water but firmly under the

gearbox of Daniel Ricciardo and Button must be thinking it is

Christmas, I'm racing. DRS in operation. The Red Bull is surely

make contact and Button takes advantage of it. Carlos made a very

late movement, you have to be careful, coming back at Button. Full

marks for showing hunger and a certain level of aggression but you

cannot weave in the braking zone, it is written in the regulation and for

safety of cars being launched. Button chases after his team-mate,

Alonso, Button is on fresher tyres, slight advantage. RADIO: You are on

fire, keep pushing. He is driving well, the crash this morning in

practice, Rosberg has just that fastest lap as he tries to claim

back. But imposes Alonso. Gets past his team-mate as McLaren had for

their best finish of the season, that puts him into sixth place but

as a joint finish this would be their best of the year. But now will

go after Sergio Perez. Maldonado still with a chance of scoring some

points at the back of the train and Carlos Sainz proving that not only

Max Verstappen can overtake and don't forget that Verstappen is in

fourth place currently and Carlos Sainz will go up against his great

hero and great friend, Fernando Alonso. Fernando is a fair but hard

racer, struggling for traction off the turn. Then the inside. He has a

look and think he will make it, Maldonado has gone past Ricciardo.

Damage on Ricciardo's car as a result of the contact with

Hulkenberg, so he is not able to show us what he can do and just bear

in mind that Alexander Rossi in the manner is running around in 12th

place, their best finish of the year. Felipe Nasr gets past. If we

were to lose one more car from this lead group, Rossi would get the best

result for them of the season. Would be fantastic for that team. We can

see some carbon fibre hanging down off the side of Ricciardo's car and

even with the DRS open, the Sauber was able to easily overtake. This

was the incident, little bit of contact, that was hard but fair,

maybe I was a bit too quick to judge, looked like Carlos was

looking to close the door. Let's just see. He did come in on a

shallow line and that is when you have to be careful, in this case,

put it down to enthusiasm and focus but you have to be pretty sure when

you move across the braking zone that you are not squeezing somebody

otherwise that will need the attention of the stewards and this

is Daniel. Let's see what damage she has. Missing a bargeboard from the

front edge of his car. That will prevent Rossi moving up another

position. We'll Ricciardo make it to the end of the Grand Prix? Just a

few laps to go, we are on Lap 51 out of 56. What a race it has been and

we are not going to go to the two hour but the longest Austin race we

have seen so far. Lewis Hamilton leads it, Rosberg had a quick lap a

moment ago but on the last lap they both put in pretty much identical

times and Rosberg, having made that mistake, allowing Hamilton through

and now it looks very much like he will wrap up the title here today

after one of the most eventful races, not just this season but of

the last few years. Vettel still in third, Verstappen is in fourth

position. RADIO: OK, I'm coming. Stay out, we are still in the

points. Alonso dropping back, but maybe could still pick up a point,

he is ten years now, Ricciardo made a pit stop but it will not be long

before he loses out on a potential point. Hamilton on his way, 4.3

second advantage over his team-mate, Nico Rosberg. Rosberg getting

pressure from Vettel, just 1.7 seconds behind him, managed it

easier .4 seconds out of the last lap around. Could be lining it up

for a late charge. If Vettel could get second, it would change things

in the World Championship. Not enough for Hamilton to win the title

here. We have only got a couple of laps to go. Riding on board with

Carlos Sainz. Past the grandstand on the exit of turn nine, through turn

ten who was catching at many in qualifying this morning. Needs to be

closely, but the traction of the McLaren is good. Better this time

than last time around. Jenson Button have DRS against Perez, too far

back, going for the late dive, thinking about it, Carlos Sainz down

the inside of Button, can he slow the car? He has judged that

beautifully. Absolutely beautiful pass from Carlos Sainz. It fits the

Toro Rosso into fifth, sorry sixth place and Toro Rosso are running

fourth and sixth and outstanding result that they can hang onto that

with both cars in the top six. Might still be able to put pressure on

Perez as well, so they might be fourth and fifth. That would be

quite something particularly with Carlos Sainz coming back from the

accident will stop Vettel has closed the gap a little bit more. It was

1.7, come down to 1.1, little bit more and she is suddenly within DRS

range. If he gets this section here tidy, then he will be in that DRS

activations on as they run into turn 11 -- activation zone. Just a couple

of laps to go here in Austin, a circuit that has been flooded for

much of the weekend but has delivered the light in terms of a

race this afternoon. I wonder if Ross Byrne goes thinking, second and

third it is all the same but maybe spoil the party for Lewis for

another weekend. Heading down the back stretch and he

certainly has closed up a little bit more, but will he be able to pass?

That is the question. He has taken six tenths of a second off Rosberg

last time round and it's not as if Rosberg had to be defending. He is

either really struggling on these tyres or he is giving Vettel an

opportunity to spoil the party for Hamilton. Is Vettel going to move

into second? If he does, the points gap would be just a bit too big for

Hamilton to wrap it up this weekend. They are racing again in seven days'

time in Mexico. Lewis Hamilton is onto his final lap. He is leading

the Grand Prix and heading for his third victory here in the past four

years. But what can Sebastian Vettel do here? Nico Rosberg goes deep into

turn one. Rosberg tighter on the apex. He's going to be thinking turn

12, in the braking zone, that is his opportunity. He was a bit quicker

than Rosberg last time around, so despite that mistake up into turn

one, this is all about the braking zone now in turned 12. Rosberg knows

it, Vettel knows it, we know it. What's going to happen? We have seen

Rosberg make an error when Lewis Hamilton was behind him. This time

Vettel is much closer. He slides a bit out of that corner. Rosberg is

going to hang on. I think it's just going to come too late for him as he

comes into the braking zone at 12. Does he make a lunch at it? No he

doesn't. He doesn't launch himself. It would have been overoptimistic.

Vettel perhaps being a bit more wary. What about 15? There is maybe

a last chance. This will decide whether or not Hamilton wins the

championship today. He's going to win it one way or another and it

could be in a few moments' time. Lewis Hamilton coming through the

last couple of corners. I don't think the Ferrari can do anything.

Through the last turn... Lewis Hamilton wins the US Grand Prix in

Austin, wait to see who crosses the line in second. Lewis Hamilton has

won his third World Championship. He is the 2015 world champion after an

incredible race of changing fortunes. Hamilton has done it! In

the USA and the team that won the Constructors' Championship last time

out in Russia has now taken the drivers's title with Lewis Hamilton

and it was one of the toughest races he has had to run as well. Max

Verstappen finishes a brilliant fourth place. Perez is fit for Force

India. Toro Rosso had one of their best days ever, finishing in fourth

and six. Button gained great points in seventh. We just wait and I think

Alonso is still going to pick up the final point. We will just wait for

him to come through to check that, and it will mean that Ricciardo will

be out of the points. No, Ricciardo got the final point, he passed

Alonso on the last lap. He has just crossed the final line, 1.4 seconds

ahead. Alexander Rossi will finish in 12, to match the Manor

Marussia's best result of the season. It's all about Lewis

Hamilton, he's done it again. He is a 3 times world champion.

RADIO: OK Lewis, I think you've done it made! See what Nico does... That

is it. World champion, pal. World champion. Three times world

champion, you've only gone and done it, mate. I'm feeling it pal, I'm

feeling it. How good does that sound, Lewis, three times world

champion? Thank you guys so much. Thank you so much. For everything

you guys do. I'm just so grateful, thank you. To my family, I love you

all. Thank you. Let's get some reaction now. Lewis Hamilton world

champion, what a way to do it? What a race actually. All the ups and

downs in the race but finally he made it. Just describe what he has

done this year and in this race as well. Fantastic race. We had our

problems in the beginning and then in the end it was tight with Nico

not having the pace. Just overwhelmed. How much better has

Lewis been this year than last year? He was almost faultless and the car

did not let him down, he scored all the necessary points. Just a great

feeling. Big party tonight. For sure! Well done. Wonderful scenes of

celebration here. We said Carlos Sainz finished in six but he had not

served his five second penalty. They have added the five seconds in and

it means that Jenson Button finishes in sixth place and Carlos Sainz

finishes seventh. Just look at the joy here for Lewis Hamilton. Paddy

Lowe on the right, the technical boss at Mercedes, these guys have

delivered for him and he has delivered thought -- for them as

well. He's the man of the moment. ANNOUNCER: We will hear the British

and German national anthems. Well done to Lewis Hamilton, what a

day for him. Nico Rosberg still looking pretty unhappy. Looking

very, very unhappy at this point. He has lost any opportunity of winning

the title, but there must be more to it, there must be something that

happened in the race. But no doubt this year that Lewis Hamilton has

dominated 2015. Lewis went early with the champagne. He's going to

make the most of this now. We said he was relaxed throughout this

championship campaign. But you can just see now that real release of

emotion. Nico gave his champagne to Paddy Lowe, he didn't want to join

in the celebrations. Paddy thought, well, I will enjoy it if you don't

want to. This is a great celebration for a man that has taken clearly the

class of the field race car and delivered.

Such dramatic scenes as Lewis Hamilton becomes a triple world

champion, consecutive championships, back-to-back, the only Brit to have

ever done that. What does it mean to win three? To be able to do that and

go level with Ayrton Senna is the realisation of a great dream for

him. Thoroughly deserved and now he has to be recognised up there with

the greats of the sport. He has been fantastic all year and being

recognised by the team as the champagne flows. Lewis Hamilton,

triple world champion. Is three a magic number, Lewis? Four is the

magic number, but three is pretty awesome as well! These are the guys

that make this all possible. -- 44 is the magic number! These guys, I

hope you are drinking and celebrating. For everything you've

done in supporting me all this way, it's been amazing. That race was so

much fun. An emotional roller-coaster. You say you have got

champagne in your shoes but you took a good glug champagne on the podium.

I can hold my drink pretty well actually! It was more about the

emotion... I know, I know. The it's so hard to describe. I feel like I

could run a marathon right now. It's incredibly empowering and wearing

much a humbling experience. I was a kid wanting to be world champion and

be a Formula 1 driver and do something similar to Ayrton and now

I have got the same number of championships as Ayrton, I can't

believe it. At one point you looked your helmet -- took your helmet off

and you were very reflective, like you couldn't believe what has

happened to you today. I still can't. I don't know at what point it

will come to my thoughts, but... I remember every day of my racing

career. Ireland all the things I've done and all the things people have

said along the way and the support, the doubts, Mike family, my dad, I'm

just grateful for it all and then today, the only person that could

really get in my way was myself and I feel today like I have conquered

any demons that if I may have had any, I do know if I did, but if I

had any demons or anything standing in my way, I feel like I conquered

it was great strength. This is the most wired I've ever seen you! I'm

pumped! Where do you go from here? From here, just enjoy this moment. I

think it's really important to enjoy it because this can only happen once

in this period of time and before I know it, I will be at home watching

TV with little kids running around at one stage and you know, so I just

really want to enjoy it with my guys and I hope my family are having a

drink, please have a drink for me. At what point did you know it was

on? At what point did you realise? There was never a moment I did not

believe I could do it. At the beginning I was struggling and I

lost a lot of confidence in the car. I kept believing I would find a way

and be able to fight my way back through the grid. The only time I

started thinking about the championship was when I was just

behind Nico and it was like, championship is right there. You

either stand back and accept second order you man up and go and get it.

I went for it so I was pushing and I was looking forward to racing with

Nico but obviously he made it a lot easier for me... But he has been

driving fantastically well. And it's not easy having me as a team-mate!

In a friendly, I'm the worst team mate you can have. Which is a good

thing for me. You are the man for me, you are the man in this Lone

Star state, here are the superstar. Congratulations. Thank you.

Let's check on today's result. Lewis Hamilton winning the race and the

championship. Sebastian Vettel took third spot on the podium. A

brilliant drive by Max Verstappen in fourth place. Daniel Ricciardo took

the final points. Lewis is world champion. Sebastian

Vettel second place and Nico Rosberg in third. Max Verstappen moves up

into the top ten. Not much to say about the Constructors'

Championship. We know Mercedes are the champions. Ferrari take second

place. A bad day at the office forward Iams and Red Bull. An

absolutely phenomenal day, David, what a race. It just shows that

whenever we have mixed weather conditions, it brings the action.

The star of the day? Obviously Lewis Hamilton. He fought back and somehow

put pressure on Nico Rosberg and came through to win his third world

title in style. Nico will be kicking himself to date. He will be

disappointed because he left the door open into turn one and also he

handled the pressure of leading the Grand Prix badly and that allowed

Lewis to come through and take the victory. Some strong performances

throughout the field, Jenson Button in the point and also Max Verstappen

in fourth place. It was quite a cracker and we will be back next

weekend as we return to Mexico, the first time we've been there since

1992. Today Lewis Hamilton made it three and he joined an elite club of

triple world champions. Nice work, Lewis.

COMMENTATOR: Now Brabham has got the race in his hands.

It's Jackie Stewart! Nobody has ever seen the finish of a motorways like

that. Niki Lauda comes up to the line. He

takes the chequered flag, and Niki Lauda, there is the world champion

of 1984! There is the world champion actually

becoming world champion. Over the line goes the world champion, 1983.

Ayrton Senna crosses the line. Ayrton Senna joins the list of true

greats as a three-time world champion.

The 2008 Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton! Lewis Hamilton is

the 2014 world champion! World champion! Oh my God! Lewis Hamilton

has won his third World Championship. He is the 2015 world

champion. Thank you guys so much. He joins the greats as a 3 times world