How Hamilton's title win unfolded

Jenson Button finished a superb sixth today, his highest finish this season and got to enjoy a bit of racing too. He was not massively over the moon though.

"Our pace is nowhere near what we expected here," he said. "We need to go away and look for the reasons why. We just got eaten up as always.

"I'm pleased to finish sixth but the pace of the car was not that exciting. Great to get some points and it was an interesting race as you are making calls all the time. We will get there.

"Lastly congrats to my fellow countryman Lewis Hamilton."

Wait, wait, wait. Stop everything.

There were eight retirements today and not ONE of them was Pastor Maldonado. 

A race like that was surely begging for some Maldonado mishaps. Nope. He finished eighth. 

Even more quotes from Lewis Hamilton. He tells the BBC: "The emotion is hard to describe. I feel like I could run a marathon now. It is a humbling experience. I now have the same amount of titles as Ayrton. It doesn't seem right, it doesn't seem real.

"I remember every day of my racing career and I'm just grateful for it all. The only one that could get in my way was myself.

"Before I know it I will be at home watching tv with kids running around, so I just want to enjoy it. There was never a moment I didn't believe I could do it. The only time I started thinking about the championship was with 10 laps to go and I was behind Nico. That was the title right there.

"You either stand back and accept second or man up and go for it. I was looking forward to racing Nico but he made it a lot easier for me. It is not easy to have me as a team-mate. In a friendly way I'm the worst team-mate you could happen."

Wherever Lewis Hamilton is celebrating, he discussed his win with DC and Suzi Perry a little earlier.

"I'm the worst team-mate you can have," he says.

Don't think there will be any disagreement there from Nico Rosberg...

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Somewhere in Austin right about now, Sir Elton John is belting out some of his greatest hits (hopefully while still wearing the amazing tracksuit above) with Lewis Hamilton in attendance. He was desperate to celebrate this title win at Elton's gig.

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Midnight in the UK is getting ever closer, and things are getting ever stranger on this page.

From Lewis Hamilton's hair to super Lewis. Why not?

There's a reason behind the madness. Hamilton said he felt like a mixture of superman and Ayrton Senna today.

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Like the graphics we've been liberally splashing through this live commentary page? We've got plenty, even one of Hamilton's hairstyles throughout the season.

#nothingmissed

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After all of today's excitement It is easy to forget that we still have a season to complete.

There's three races remaining, starting with Mexico next week. If Hamilton wins all three then he will move level with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher on most wins in a season (13).

The back page of Monday's Daily Mail. Arsenal supporter Hamilton is probably interested in the story in the bottom half of the paper as well.  

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The back page of the Times newspaper is devoted to Lewis Hamilton.

"After winning the US Grand Prix, an emotional Hamilton, whose career has taken him from a council estate in Stevenage to the pantheon of motor racing, hailed his victory as an inspiration for youngsters," writes Kevin Eason.

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Good man Peter. Good man. 

The front page of The Guardian's sport supplement has a picture of Lewis Hamilton on the front.

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Right then, the timing of the race today means we are handily placed for a look at what tomorrow's papers make of Lewis Hamilton's title win. Let's take a look...

Even the Ferrari boss accepts Lewis Hamilton will be the man to beat once again next year...

The praise just keeps on coming in. Children's tv presenter Floella Benjamin is another to congratulate the man of the moment.

This is Lewis Hamilton's day, but honourable mention for this chap. What a driver he is already.

The highlights of today's thrilling race have just started on BBC One right now. Seriously, watch them. 

Already seen the race? Doesn't matter, watch it again because that was one of the best for a while.

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As if winning the world title wasn't good enough Lewis, you've only gone and been named Britain's greatest F1 driver by BBC F1 readers in our online vote!

A total of 48% of you voted for Lewis ahead of Jim Clark (below).

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Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says: "We were getting closer, maybe I should've taken more risks. It is a mixed day. A very good race and a fantastic result but it is not good when you find out you can't win the big one.

"We've made a lot of progress, but it is not a secret, there's still a lot we need to gain.

"We are pushing hard and have been all season. I can't predict what is going to happen. Congratulations to Lewis. It is his day and he should enjoy it. A fantastic race and he has driven fantastically this season. This is his year and his moment."

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As we've already said, Nico Rosberg was clearly unhappy after the race. A few videos are going round Twitter at the moment showing Rosberg 'throwing a cap' at Lewis Hamilton. Personally, I don't think there was any malice in it.

Anyway, here's a bit more from him: "An extremely tough one. Just thinking about the race, it was my race to win, but with some strange mistake that has never happened to me that was really disappointing.

"Not thinking about the championship, I just wanted to win the race."

Talking about Lewis Hamilton, Rosberg adds: "He has done a great year, so congratulations for that. Turn one it was not decisive for the race as I was able to come back. If I'm leading I have a right to a piece of track. He ran into me and that is one step too far."

Quote Message: Hamilton has every chance of winning more titles. It could be five or six, Mercedes is so superior from Sir Jackie Stewart

Hamilton has every chance of winning more titles. It could be five or six, Mercedes is so superior

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"I want to encourage young kids," says Hamilton. "It is about the self belief they have. Hopefully this will inspire parents. I wanted to be Ayrton Senna or Superman when I was younger."

Lewis Hamilton is currently conducting post-race interviews in the media pen with a Union Jack draped around him. 

His voice breaks as he gets all emotional when Lee McKenzie asks him about wanting to emulate Ayrton Senna, and how kids will now want to be like him.

Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula 1 world champion, is quick to send his congratulations to Lewis Hamilton.

Some more quotes from Lewis Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso, who finished 11th, has congratulated his former team-mate:

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The trance music is cranked up to the max in the Mercedes garage as Toto Wolff raises a glass to the camera. "World champion!" he says.

Speaking of Toto, that reminds me we have a video of some of Lewis Hamilton's lighter moments from 2015, including his podium interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Watch it here.

Right then, if you click on the 'Vote' tab (mobile users) or look on the right side of this page (desktop users), you will see a whopping great selection of great British drivers.

That is because we are asking for you to vote for who you think is Britain's greatest F1 champion?

Vote closes at 22:15 GMT, check terms and conditions here.

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Coincidentally, Sir Jackie Stewart has just been speaking to BBC Sport.

"Nico Rosberg could easily have won the race but Lewis drove his race to win it. It was Nico's to lose and that is what happened," he said.

"Lewis will improve, he will improve a lot. He is 30 and at the right age to be learning."

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Lewis Hamilton (2008, 2014 and 2015) becomes only the second Briton to win three world titles, after Sir Jackie Stewart (1969, 1971, 1973).

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Lewis Hamilton is keen to celebrate this. 

"Where's the party," he asks before heading out to greet some fans in the paddock. 

Meanwhile, Daft Punk's "One More Time" blares out of the Mercedes garage. The team have adopted the phrase "Won More Time" this season.

This has just come from Nico Rosberg's Twitter account.

Wendy Pankhurst: Anyone in Nico Rosberg's shoes would feel the same. No sportsman is gracious in losing, they all want to win. Lessons to learn for '16.

Barry Brown: Wow poor loser or what? Rosberg not congratulating Hamilton in his interview.

matthew: Hamilton is fantastic but he's not always been the best winner...just put the shoe on the other foot.

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Lewis Hamilton joins some big names in winning at least three world titles:

Michael Schumacher (seven), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel (both four), Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Jack Brabham, Sir Jackie Stewart and Hamilton (all three).  

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Sebastian Vettel looks much happier for Lewis than Nico does. The Ferrari man tells Sir Elton: "We have a great car. I think we have exceeded all expectations. But it doesn’t feel great when you cross the line and you know you can’t win the championship any more. Congratulations to Lewis. But we’re getting closer."

Dan Stuchbury: What a miserable so and so Rosberg is. Get over it you lost to the better man. Be gracious in defeat and stop behaving like a child.

FK: Rosberg's to Hamilton as Patrese was to Mansel, harmless threat of a team mate. Gets some race wins, helps in the constructors title.

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Not even Sir Elton can cheer Nico Rosberg up. With a face like thunder, he says: "I'm very disappointed. Unbelievable really. I don't know what happened. You (the crowd) have been awesome with the bad weather. I'm just very disappointed."

"I want to say a huge thank you to the crowd, staying out through the rain," says Lewis Hamilton. "Hopefully we put on a good show for you.

"I can't find the words to explain how this feels. I couldn't have done it without this team. I love you guys and everything you do for me. For all my family, I love you all."

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So who is the person to interview a three-time world champion? Sir Elton John!  Out he strolls in his tracksuit. Casual as you like. 

"I can't believe you are here man," says Lewis Hamilton. 

"What ever is bothering Nico you have to let it go. You are at risk of looking like a bad loser."

Nico Rosberg is not exactly jumping for joy at his team-mate's win. Head down, looking away from Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel as the celebratory champagne is sprayed.

He looked to have the hump on in the pre-podium room too. Hamilton tossed a cap to him, which Rosberg threw back.

Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel head out on to the podium before Lewis Hamilton is introduced to the crowd, who raise a huge cheer. They love him here.

Shayan S: Rosberg, a mediocre driver lucky to be in a great car. Put Vettel in that car, we'd have a thrilling fight between him and Hamilton.

Luke Curtis: Best F1 race in quite a few years, engrossing, thrilling and more twists that a Agatha Christie novel!

John O: Who could have predicted a young lad from Stevenage will be winning three world F1 championship. This is what dreams are made of.

Lewis Hamilton peels off his race helmet before kneeling down and resting his head on a table in the pre-podium room, breathing heavily. Energy sapped.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says: "What a race with all the ups and downs. A fantastic race. We had a problem at the beginning, at the end it was tight, but I'm just overwhelmed.

"Lewis was almost faultless this year and the car didn't let him down. It is just an amazing feeling."

Lewis Hamilton leaps out of his car and continues leaping about all over the place. He is understandably ecstatic. He had to work for this win - his 10th of the season - but what a way to do it. Stunning drive.

Lewis Hamilton over the team radio: "Thank you so much for everything you guys do. To my family I love you all."

Sebastian Vettel cannot deny Nico Rosberg second place, meaning Lewis Hamilton is a three-time world champion!

"This is the greatest moment of my life," he says over team radio, punching the air as he passes the cheering fans. 

What a race. What a win. 

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Lewis Hamilton crosses the line to win the United States Grand Prix and the world title!

Into the last lap and Lewis Hamilton is firmly on course for victory. The one to watch is Sebastian Vettel. He is closing on Nico Rosberg...

Lewis Hamilton now has a four-second advantage over Nico Rosberg, but there is still a chance he could be denied the title. 

If Sebastian Vettel finishes second, Hamilton's wait will go on. Vettel is just 1.1s behind Rosberg...

Victor Karungu: My fingernails are shredded. Heart at 120bpm. Best race of the season.

Matt Shaw: Rosberg just isn't of the quality required to ever be a champion.

Waѕiyullah Budye: Hamilton will be the first British driver to defend his F1 championship. Feeling proud! Thank you Rosberg ;)

Sir Elton John looks gripped as he watches on from the paddock. This is a thrilling race, best this season? A shame there's only four laps remaining.

As it stands it is: 1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Vettel 4) Verstappen 5) Perez

"It has been a good performance from Jenson Button."

Top Gear presenter and BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans is loving this.

Lewis Hamilton is storming off into the distance now, two seconds ahead of Nico Rosberg. One mistake and the Briton takes full advantage. 

Behind them, Jenson Button is enjoying some rare racing. He takes advantage of a tussle between Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo to swoop into sixth.

Racing at the front, racing at the back, racing everywhere!

Aaman Khan: haaaaamillttoooooon is world champion!!!! surely!!!! you beauty!!!!!!

Gareth: There will be a delay before the presentation after the race so that Nico can gift wrap the trophy for Lewis.

Edward O'Loughlin: Proof that Nico Rosberg is not even close to being world championship material, not worthy of the title of bridesmaid even.

Drama! Nico Rosberg appears to lose his rear at Turn 14 and Lewis Hamilton pounces and is into the lead. As it stands, he is going to become the 2015 world champion!

Ah, nothing Max Verstappen can do has Sebastian Vettel goes at him again down the main straight and sweeps past and into third. Up top, Nico Rosberg leads Lewis Hamilton by 1.6s.

Hold on to your hats! We are racing again and Max Verstappen shows great confidence as he holds off a hungry Sebastian Vettel. He's on for a podium here!

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Ayesha Frederick: Flat-mates think I am going crazy listening to the race online shouting at the timing screens. This is so intense.

Jovic Sebastian: At this rate, the safety car might get some championship points!

Andrew Thatcher: No-one has noticed the good drive by Rossi in 11th.

Daniel Woodley: What a race this is! The best of the season by a country mile. Lewis can do this!

Jack Whiteside: If you could win a world championship, you'd want to win it with a memorable race like this...written in the stars. Come on Lewis!

"OK Lewis you have 10 laps remaining, keep it nice and cleaning."

The safety car is coming in on this lap. Here. We. Go.

In amongst all the drama, things are going well for McLaren. Fernando Alonso is fifth, with Jenson Button eighth. 

After all the various crashes and retirements, there are just 12 cars left on the track.

"It is a fantastic, gutsy performance from Max Verstappen.

"It's the most amount of cars dropping out for a long time."

Lewis Hamilton takes on softs, Sebastian Vettel does likewise and they are back out in second and fourth respectively.

As it stands Nico Rosberg leads from Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Vettel.

That means Hamilton will still not win the title today, he would be 66 points ahead with 75 available. He is on the fresher tyres though.

Sean Harrison: Got a horrible feeling Mercedes have got Hamilton's pit strategy wrong. Again.

Tom Brookes: Mercedes' bottling Hamilton's tyre call have cost him the race.

"This could be a lifeline for Lewis Hamilton."

Daniil Kvyat's Red Bull smacks nose first into the barrier just after Turn 19. Safety car out again, Lewis Hamilton pits...

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Hang about. Nico Rosberg is a man on the move. He has already picked off Max Verstappen and now fancies a move on Sebastian Vettel...nails it! He's second.

"If I was Lewis Hamilton I would try and see if I could make it to the end of the Grand Prix.

"Hang out there and see what happens out. He does not have the pace in these tyres, so take track position and try to hang in the best you can."

Matt: Vettel caught Hamilton by five seconds under that virtual safety car period. The whole thing is a mess.

Hannah Lowry: BBC live updates for me for the USGP so very exciting and I can't even see the cars. Keep going Jenson Button.

With 15 laps to go, Sebastian Vettel is looking to get to the end of this race on his medium tyres. Lewis Hamilton, on 23 lap-old soft tyres, is 5.4s ahead. However, if that front two stays the same, Hamilton won't win the title in Austin.

Nico Rosberg is back out on softs and is out in fourth, behind Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel who, like Lewis Hamilton, stayed out. The virtual safety car comes in.

Shohidur Rahman: What a waste from Hulkenberg. Force India got the strategy perfect.

Martin Wingate: Hulkenberg. Just no. He is so so so overrated.

Nico Rosberg pits, but Lewis Hamilton stays out. Both Red Bulls also head in, with Daniel Ricciardo coming back out on the soft tyres, Daniil Kvyat on mediums.

A second appearance of the virtual safety car, this one for Nico Hulkenberg's car which has come to a stop after that collision with Daniel Ricciardo's Red Bull. 

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is on the hunt and he is up to fourth now, with Daniil Kvyat having slipped back to seventh. 

Daniel Ricciardo is holding on to fifth but he is struck by Nico Hulkenberg as the Force India attempts a move at Turn 12.

Bob Bhowmik: Note to Bernie. If you want to make F1 falsemore interesting next season, introduce a random sprinkler system over race weekend.

Alex: And to think, people used to say Vettel couldn't race.

James Matthews: The way this is going, Verstappen could win this.

Sebastian Vettel is not giving up on that podium place and he has another go at the exit of Turn One, breezing through on the outside of Ricciardo to take third.

"This is a brilliant Grand Prix. Whenever we have changeable conditions it always throws it wide open."

Now Sebastian Vettel fancies a go at Daniel Ricciardo, he gets round him at the exit of Turn 12 but Ricciardo fights back immediately to reclaim third. 

What a race this has been, some superb, attacking driving. Everyone seems to be having a go!

Foot down and off goes Nico Rosberg. Good restart. The biggest mover is Sebastian Vettel, as he gets the jump on Daniil Kvyat and he is into fourth.

It is Rosberg from Hamilton, Ricciardo, Vettel and Kvyat.

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Bollard (and a cap it would seem) removed. The safety car is coming in on this lap.

Craig Harle: We need another downpour just to mix it up even more.

Kyle Mclaren: What an epic race don't think you could call this one.

Alex Withington: Ferrari have a great set-up, power down the straight and are making great strategy calls... don't normally say that! 

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Lapped cars are allowed to overtake and join at the back of the pack. The safety car should be heading in soon.

Over half race distance, who will get it right at the restart? Nico Rosberg was just building up a nice advantage over Lewis Hamilton, but he's got it all to do again...

Mercedes on Twitter: Ok, here's the situation: Nico P1, Lewis P2, RIC P3, KVY P4, (1 Stop, Softs), VET P5 (2 Stops, Mediums) 

"It has been a painful weekend, but there has been some great racing today.

"It's fascinating to see the different fortunes the drivers are having on the tyres. Rosberg is driving like a world champion."

A recovery truck trundles over to Marcus Ericsson's stricken Sauber to lift it off the circuit.

Wait. Is that a bollard on the track as well? Someone appears to have knocked over the pit lane entry bollard. It is all going on.

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Sebastian Vettel pits from fifth and switches to medium tyres. Several others behind him do likewise. The front four stay out on the soft tyres. 

Ryan Blythe: At this rate, just finishing the race will get you some points today. Going to benefit Lewis massively this safety car.

Bishop Yinkus: Will this safety car provide us opportunity to see wheel-to-wheel driving between Nico and Lewis? Bring it on.

Despite a valiant attempt to carry on after that earlier crash, Kimi Raikkonen can't carry on and he pits. Race over for the Ferrari. 

The safety car is out. Marcus Ericsson has come to a stop. Nightmare for Nico Rosberg as his advantage is wiped out.

Romain Grosjean, whose race ended early, writes on Twitter: "You work hard and everything goes away at the 1st corner. It's part of racing. Let's hope for more luck in Mexico."

Nico Rosberg sets the fastest lap and he now leads Daniel Ricciardo by nine seconds.

There's trouble for Ricciardo now though as Hamilton attacks on the back straight and is into second.

It has not been a good day for Williams. We have already lost Valtteri Bottas and now Felipe Massa is told of a problem with the car, and he is going to have to retire.

Meanwhile, Nico Rosberg is out in front and building a gap over Daniel Ricciardo.

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Lewis Hamilton has some overtaking to do if he is to win the title this weekend. Nico Rosberg is currently second, with Hamilton fourth and that would keep the battle going until at least next weekend's race in Mexico.

Ashley Perham: Let's make every race in the rain if this is what happens.

James Matthews: Kimi was so shocked by a McLaren-Honda getting fastest lap that he ploughed straight into the wall.

Andrew Yee: US Grand Prix always seems to be a good race - heavy braking zones. Plus the slippy conditions means close racing. Makes a change!

"That was Raikkonen relying on his rally driving experience to get out of that."

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Kimi Raikkonen slides off the track and into the barrier. It is going to take more than that to stop the Finn, though, as he hauls himself off the gravel and back onto the track. Gritty determination and the watching fans love it, standing to applaud.

As expected pretty much everyone makes a stop to switch to softs. Lewis Hamilton is back out and he tries to get the jump on Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Rosberg as they return to the circuit with the new tyres on, but he runs a little wide at the first turn and is down in fourth. As it stands, he won't be winning the title in Austin, but plenty of laps left.

Tom Howells: Best race of the season so far... early call, but this is brilliant racing.

Caramel: Not Ricciardo's biggest fan, but I don't care who it is as long as someone is in front of the Mercs.

Jessica: This is going to be one of those beautiful races after which sleep is impossible.

My word! This is a breathless battle between the two Mercedes as Nico Rosberg attacks Lewis Hamilton again, squeezing past at Turn 12, prompting Hamilton to pit and take on softs. This could prompt the other frontrunners to do likewise.

Speaking of Max Verstappen, what did his team-mate Carlos Sainz have for breakfast!? He started this race dead last, now he is ninth. Kimi Raikkonen is sandwiched between the two fearless Toro Rossos.

Some chilling words from Kimi Raikkonen, talking about Max Verstappen.

"This guy is pushing me off the track every time I come next to him," says Raikkonen over the team radio. "If that is legal I will do the same next time." 

Daniel Ricciardo is absolutely flying, setting the fastest lap with 1:54.685, two seconds faster than Lewis Hamilton's best effort

Now Hamilton and Rosberg are battling again as the latter dives inside his team-mate, the two almost touching but Hamilton just about holds him off. Tense!

Meanwhile, there is a fair old ding dong going on between Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen in the battle for seventh.

"Hamilton was off line and that gave Ricciardo the opportunity to survive until the first corner. If Hamilton can come close in the middle section, Ricciardo could come under pressure."

And he's got him! Daniel Ricciardo breezes past Lewis Hamilton going into Turn 18 and he speeds away into the lead. Red Bull lead the race.

Daniel Ricciardo is faster than Lewis Hamilton and is creeping up on the Mercedes, half a second separates the two.

"You have to come back on the circuit and if you're aware of that you give room to your competitors.

"Kvyat ran off at speed, but I don't agree with Nico saying he came back on and it was dangerous.

"There was no danger and he passed you fair and square. It's just what happens in racing. Ten out of 10 to Kvyat for trying."

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Never mind chasing down Lewis Hamilton,  Nico Rosberg has to be wary of the Red Bulls. 

They are snapping at the heels of the Mercedes and Daniil Kvyat fancies a nibble, taking him out at the first corner but the Russian runs wide.

That puts Rosberg back into to second for now but he goes wide at Turn One and Daniel Ricciardo seizes the chance to snatch second.

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As it stands, Lewis Hamilton is firmly on course for a third world title.

Meanwhile, Romain Grosjean has been in to take on softs, but his stay out on the circuit is brief on the dry tyres. Is he retiring?

"Your rear breaks are going crazy," he is told over the radio. "You are not going to finish the race."

Quote Message: Nico Rosberg has never overtaken Lewis Hamilton on track and then gone on to win

Nico Rosberg has never overtaken Lewis Hamilton on track and then gone on to win

"This is a dream scenario for Formula 1 fans. We have four cars in close contention racing for the win."

Ten laps down and, while there's still a few damp patches, the track is drying quickly. "No more rain expected," Nico Rosberg is told. Rosberg is 0.9s behind Lewis Hamilton.

Tom Maynard: Whats the point in a Virtual safety car if they are allowed to bunch up when its ending?

Gary Day: Seems like tyre management of the Intermediate and judging change to slicks will have big winners and losers methinks!

"How did Nico get past me," asks a perplexed Daniel Ricciardo. Nico Rosberg is on the move again, getting the jump on Daniil Kvyat and he is second. Game on!

We've lost Will Stevens and Valtteri Bottas' race is also over. He retires from last.

The Virtual Safety Car is ending now and Nico Rosberg, like a tiger stalking prey, pounces on Daniel Ricciardo and is straight up into third.

Shohidur Rahman: Do not get the thinking behind all these guys going on the slicks. Did they think the track was gonna dry up after 2 laps? 

John ashenden: Listen to all the Hamilton haters...he took the racing line, what's wrong about that?

Waѕiyullah Budye: Today Lewis Hamilton will become the first British driver to defend F1 Championship. Mark my words!

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Lewis Hamilton has the lead, but is remaining cautious. "Very slippery out here guys," he says. "Nico suffering the same thing?"

It appears that Felipe Nasr's broken bit of front wing is still on the circuit and a couple of marshals are deployed to pick up the few bits of debris. 

Lewis Hamilton has the Red Bulls in hot pursuit, 0.7s between himself and Daniil Kvyat, but the Virtual Safety Car has just been deployed.

"It was the initial getaway that Hamilton aced. It was a team-mate's kiss to say it was my corner. But there was no driving him off the track malice. It was clearly Hamilton's corner.

"Fair play to Rosberg for having a go, but he paid the penalty for running wheel-to-wheel with Hamilton. Every time they go wheel-to-wheel Hamilton comes out on top."

Felipe Nasr is back out sporting a new front wing and with soft tyres on. Valtteri Bottas has also made the switch to the soft compound.

Replays are showing that start again, with Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton touching wheels as they tussled for position going into Turn One. 

Rosberg rolled the dice and lost.

Several drivers are into the pits, Felipe Nasr one of them after losing part of his front wing after that bit of contact between his Sauber and Marcus Ericsson's.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel, who must finish second as things stand to prevent Lewis Hamilton from taking the title today, is up from 13th to seventh.

julie chaston: Wow! Did that just happen! Lewis on fire!

R44B OC: Disgusting behaviour from @LewisHamilton don't expect anything less from him though.

Tom Howells: Will #Rosberg never learn? @LewisHamilton will ALWAYS push you off the track!

"Rosberg desperately tried to hold into that position into turn one, but Lewis Hamilton was on the racing line."

Contact for Fernando Alonso? He is dropping down the pack and is now 19th. There's definitely contact between the two Saubers in that first lap, leaving debris on the track.

Dan Alani: Increasingly looking like Nico might not be able to handle this pressure, Lewis looks born ready for this #hammertime

Andy King: Inters aren't going to last two laps here, could be mad first half dozen laps.

Dan Smith: Large parts of that track are bone dry. Gonna be a mad rush to the pits here.

LIGHTS OUT!!

Lewis Hamilton is straight on the attack and Nico Rosberg is squeezed out by his Mercedes team-mate on the run in to turn one. Rosberg runs wide and drops back to fourth. Disastrous start for the German.

These were some of the pictures from a couple of minutes ago before the drivers went out for the formation lap.

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Everyone has intermediate tyres bolted on as they head off on the formation lap.

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Polesitter Nico Rosberg has one last chat with his team before getting into his Mercedes and preparing to lead off the grid on the formation lap.

Last chance saloon for Rosberg? That 363m dash to Turn One could be crucial.

Quote Message: Hamilton will say he's not thinking about the title. I can tell you that is all that's going on in that helmet

Hamilton will say he's not thinking about the title. I can tell you that is all that's going on in that helmet

Right then, one last reminder of the grid:

1) Rosberg 2) Hamilton 3) Ricciardo 4) Kvyat 5) Perez 6) Hulkenberg 7) Massa 8) Verstappen 9) Alonso 10) Grosjean

11) Button 12) Maldonado 13) Vettel 14) Ericsson 15) Nasr 16) Bottas 17) Rossi 18) Raikkonen 19) Stevens 20) Sainz

Matt LeBlanc, he of Friends fame, is one of the celebrities at the United States Grand Prix.

That reminds me of a film I watched on Saturday night. Lost in Space. Not one of your best Matt...

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Sir Jackie Stewart is the only Briton to have won three world titles. Lewis Hamilton could be just a couple of hours away from joining him...

Jamie Walsgrove: Drying track..maybe a chance for Button to show what he is capable of..for a few laps that is.

Xavier Davis: Everyone spins off at turn 10.

bookfan2: As a viewer the circuit is surely one of the most ugly on the calendar.

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The American national anthem is belted out with some gusto - a solid rendition - before red, blue and white smoke billows from the top of the grandstands.

Meanwhile, fans appeared to have dispensed with their umbrellas. The rain is staying firmly away now.

Nick Rogers: So...Rosberg will crash out and Vettel will retire with engine trouble. Hamilton will get P1 and win Championship.

David Atwell: No doubt Lewis will win more & whilst I'd argue he'll win again next year getting more than four will be very tough from 2017.

Sarah Kate Marsh: If Vettel, Alonso or Ricciardo had a more competitive car, Hamilton would be in trouble.

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If Lewis Hamilton does win the championship today, he will become the 10th driver to win at least three world titles. 

The others are Michael Schumacher (seven), Juan Manuel Fangio (five), Alain Prost and Vettel (both four) and Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, Jack Brabham and Stewart (all three). 

Matt Scott: No FP2 and no Q3, and a dry(ing) track for the race. I'm not saying it'll be great racing, but it'll certainly be interesting!

Andrew Priestley: With track conditions likely to be very changeable during the race, surely this plays into the hands of the adaptable Hamilton.

Ross Parker: Hamilton has the potential to win many more titles, but only if he's in a competitive car. Just look at what's happened to Alonso .

After retiring from the Russian Grand Prix with a throttle problem, Nico Rosberg will want everything running smoothly today. As a result, he is being extra certain everything is ticking over as it should before the race starts.

"There's something wrong with the front tyres , juddering," he says over team radio.

"Sounds like they just cold," he is told in response.

Top work by Toro Rosso as they've managed to get Carlos Sainz's car fixed up and ready to go after his crash in qualifying. The Spaniard can start the race.

“There's been some bad news for Valtteri Bottas. The Williams driver was due to line up 10th after the Ferrari drivers’ penalties but the team discovered that part of his rear suspension had broken. It is so integral to the gearbox that the ‘box needs changing to replace it, and that means a five-place grid penalty. In the circumstances, the Finn did well to qualify only  0.335secs slower than team-mate Felipe Massa.”

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Venue: Circuit of the Americas, Austin

Circuit length: 5.513km

Laps: 56

Race distance: 308.405km

Lap record: 1min 39.347secs (Vettel, 2012)

2014 pole position: Rosberg (Mercedes) one minute 36.067 seconds

2014 winner: Hamilton (Mercedes)

2014 fastest lap: Vettel (Red Bull) 1min 41.379secs

Number of corners: 20 (11 left/9 right)

Check our more US Grand Prix stats and fun facts here.

Mercedes are struggling to contain their excitement. They write on Twitter: "A Silver Arrows front row lockout, tricky track conditions, mega fans in the stands, millions more around the world, and, of course, the F1 World Championship potentially within reach... this could be one heck of a day!

"Settle in everyone! The greatest show on earth is about to begin."

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The pitlane is open and out rumble the cars on to the track, a bit of spray kicking up as they venture off for an exploratory lap but it is clearly drying up very quickly.

James Macdonald: HAM is certainly good enough, but if drivers of the calibre of ALO, RIC, BOT, VET get competitive machinery, 6 would be tough.

Dan Culyer: Hamilton can go on to win six titles. He'll now have first pick on cars, so has more years left at No. 1.

FK: Lewis will win many more titles, as long as Mercedes stay top and Nico is his team mate. Not sure if he had a Riccardo, Vettel or Alonso.

Shield your eyes! Something those in Austin haven't seen for a while has just appeared in the sky...the sun.

One of the fastest men in the world can't get enough of Formula 1.

Sprinter Asafa Powell, who helped Jamaica to sprint relay gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is loving his time at the USA Grand Prix.

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“The Mercedes drivers might have locked out the front row but if it stays wet they may well not have things all their own way in the race. Daniel Ricciardo was impressive throughout a difficult qualifying session and he and Red Bull team-mate Daniil Kvyat are on the second row, Ricciardo just over a second off the Mercedes.

“‘In these conditions,’ Ricciardo said, ‘there is always a fine line but you are better off being on the more side of risks and taking risks. If you don't drive in these conditions with confidence, you don't get far. As soon as a bit more aquaplaning or rain scares you, then everyone will drop in front.’

“The Australian sounds like he will be in full ‘honey badger’ mode in the race. ‘For us as a team and me as a driver, we are not fighting for a championship at the moment, and these are conditions that suit us,’ he said. ‘It is an opportunity in the race. To put it all on the line makes sense.’”

Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who lines up third, is in a confident mood. 

He says: "We have a genuine chance today of taking our first win. 

"The track looks a lot drier that it did this morning and if it stays like this we will definitely start on time."

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We've had penalties for Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen, so this is how the grid should be looking:

1) Rosberg 2) Hamilton 3) Ricciardo 4) Kvyat 5) Perez 6) Hulkenberg 7) Massa 8) Verstappen 9) Alonso 10) Grosjean

11) Button 12) Maldonado 13) Vettel 14) Ericsson 15) Nasr 16) Bottas 17) Rossi 18) Raikkonen 19) Stevens 20) Sainz

An observant tweet from Ferrari. They are indeed people. Wet people by the looks of it.

It is wet, possibly a tad windy, but that is not spoiling the enthusiasm of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Some very energetic dancing going on at the moment to entertain the crowd.

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If Lewis Hamilton does win the world championship Sir Jackie Stewart - the only Briton to have won three titles - believes he could dominate the sport for years to come.

"He could do,"he said. "He’s 30 years of age, no longer a boy but a fully grown man. It’s a wonderful age, your strongest years to be a racing driver.

“Lewis will carry on improving with experience. He will find what he’s doing not so well. You might not know he’s not doing something as well as he might but he will. And improving those things will make him stronger.”

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“Toro Rosso have faced a frantic four hours or so since qualifying, after Carlos Sainz crashed at Turn Four and extensively damaged his car. 

"Can they get it ready for the race? ‘We will see,’ the Spaniard said. ‘I hope so. I really hope so, because I want to give back the team all the effort and all the good pace we have had with a good race and I hope we can solve the car and go out in the race.’ 

"Team-mate Max Verstappen starts eighth after qualifying 10th. Both men will be worth watching in the race.”

Is Lewis Hamilton feeling the nerves? If he is, you wouldn't be able to tell judging by this selfie...

Agree with Nigel? At 30, how many more years do you think Lewis Hamilton has at the top of Formula 1 and how many titles do you think he will win?

How do you see today's race going? Let us know via #bbcf1, text in on 81111 (UK only) or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook page.

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Lewis Hamilton is on the verge of a third world title but Nigel Mansell reckons he could well go on to win even more.

"I think with the might of Mercedes they are in control of their own destiny," he told BBC Radio 5 live.  "Lewis is having a blast of a time at the moment, nothing is going to stop him taking the championship this year. He will be the favourite for next year too.

"Mercedes are not standing still. Lewis has a fantastic opportunity to scoop the title this year, next year, the year after that and possibly the year after that one too."

“If it’s wet for the race, the challenge for the drivers is extreme. And Jenson Button explained that if they do lose the car and it spins, then it makes it even worse. ‘There is water all around the circuit but it’s deeper in some areas than others and you can’t see it until you’re off,’ he said. ‘I heard a lot of drivers spun off and went backwards and their tyres didn’t work again. It was exactly the same for me it was just a shame I did it on the first lap of the run.

“‘I lost the rear at Turn 11 and was going backwards for a while and then suddenly you have no rear grip after that. It’s like the tread moves in a funny direction and then it doesn’t work again.

“Low-speed corners you don’t mind aquaplaning but in a high-speed corner like Turn 10 it’s proper scary. The last right-hander as well (Turn 18) the quick one, you don’t know when it’s going to break away.”

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Ironically, after a weekend of wet weather that left my colleague Chris Osborne resorting to describing Ainsley Harriet's cookery-themed jiving on Strictly Come Dancing last night, we could actually have some dry weather for the race itself.

The rain appears to be moving away from Austin at the moment, so while it could be a wet start to the race, it should dry out as it progresses.

Get the full forecast here.

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Right then, here's how Lewis Hamilton can be crowned the 2015 world champion today:

• If Hamilton wins, Vettel must finish second to prevent Hamilton winning the title at the US GP
• If Hamilton finishes second, Vettel must finish fifth or Nico Rosberg must win the race to prevent Hamilton winning the title
• If Hamilton finishes third, Vettel must finish sixth or Rosberg must finish second
• If Hamilton finishes fourth, Vettel must finish eighth or Rosberg must finish third
• If Hamilton finishes fifth, Vettel must finish ninth or Rosberg must finish fourth
• If Hamilton finishes sixth, the title battle will continue to the next race in Mexico, even if Vettel does not finish or collects no points. Rosberg would need to come fifth to still be in contention.

If you are not watching it already, you can catch the last 20 minutes or so of qualifying highlights on BBC Two and at the top of this page right now.

As for the race itself, it is scheduled to start at 19:00 GMT, with BBC Radio 5 live coverage getting under way half-an-hour before. 

Highlights will then be on BBC One and online at 22:30.

“Lewis Hamilton could win the world title in this race - he needs to put just two points on Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, who starts on pole one place ahead of the championship leader, and nine on Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel, who is down in 14th after a grid penalty for using too many engines.

“But he says he will not be going all out to clinch it this weekend. ‘Qualifying was cut short, so we didn't get to battle it out on the last few laps,’ said Hamilton. ‘But the race is a long battle and it will be hard out there today, with those conditions varying throughout the race. I think today I still need to be sensible, and I don't need to take risks. I have more races - it is not do or die this weekend.’

“That may be so. But we all know Hamilton will not give up a sniff of victory if he can see one. Outpaced in qualifying, he will want to turn the tables on Rosberg in the race, championship lead to protect or not.”

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Howdy and welcome to our coverage of the United States Grand Prix.

Much of this weekend has been spent staring at drops of the wet stuff as rain played havoc with the schedule, so much so that qualifying had to take place earlier today.

Even then we only got to see the first two sessions of qualifying, something that worked to Nico Rosberg's advantage because it means he will be the man who will be starting on pole after finishing fastest in Q2.

That means Hamilton has a little bit of work to do if he is to win the world championship in Austin...

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History beckons for Lewis Hamilton, with the Briton on the verge of joining some of the greats of F1.

It has been far from smooth sailing at a very wet Austin but, after plenty of waiting around this weekend, a third world title could be his in just a few short hours...

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Nico Rosberg has to beat his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton today to stay in title contention. And he's put himself in the perfect position, clinching pole on a soggy Austin track ahead of the British driver.

Sebastian Vettel, the only other man who can stop Hamilton, will start 15th with his 10-place penalty.

Can Hamilton become only the second British driver to win three titles after Sir Jackie Stewart?

Find out when we return at 17:30 GMT (race at 19:00 GMT). In the mean time, read Andrew Benson's report from a riveting qualifying.

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Rosberg has a third consecutive pole. Mercedes have a 12th front-row lockout of the season.

Rosberg has converted two of his last nine poles into wins.

Hamilton's two previous Austin wins came from second on the grid.

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That's the top 10 after Q2 and the result of qualifying. Vettel, in fifth, and Raikkonen, in eighth, both have 10-place grid penalties remember.

"We have a grand prix. We have all the cars on circuit. It's a sound decision. Rosberg can take pleasure in that pole position."

That was a swift decision - and probably the right one.

That means Nico Rosberg is on pole, alongside team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Jenson Button, eliminated in Q2, tells BBC Sport: "Halfway through it was way too wet. The problem is you don't know where the aquaplaning is. The last couple of laps I was cruising around - I was floating. I hope the delay is for a good while because you can't have them going out."

We've been here before... We have a repeat of the delayed messages from yesterday.

Mercedes get the message a bit late as Hamilton springs out of the garage. "Stop! Stop!" shout his engineers. He gets the message.

Carlos Sainz, eliminated in Q1 after coming off the track, tells BBC Sport: "I've run those kerbs all weekend. It was because of standing water and a used tyre. I'm not sure I will make it into the race."

Conditions have worsened. There is doubt over whether they will come back out. If qualifying ends now, the top six will look like this:

Rosberg, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Kvyat, Vettel, Perez.

Don't forget that Vettel is due a 10-pace grid penalty though, as is Raikkonen, who is ninth.

Alonso, Bottas, Grosjean, Button and Maldonado are the men eliminated.

One minute left. Lewis Hamilton is in the pits, having had a wobble on his last lap.

Valtteri Bottas says he's had a bad session, and he's right. The Williams driver is 12th - his team-mate Felipe Massa is ninth.

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The Red Bulls are going well - Ricciardo third and Kvyat fourth.

Max Verstappen slides into the run-off but pulls himself together. He's clinging on to 10th place.

Bottom five:

Alonso, Bottas, Grosjean, Button, Maldonado

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Nico Rosberg is not giving up on this world title - he leads Hamilton by 0.105secs.

Kimi Raikkonen has a little spin and then grumbles about the conditions. Turn 10 in particular is causing absolute mischief for the drivers.

Nico Hulkenberg zig-zags all over the place briefly, showing the difficulty of driving out there, but he's up to sixth.

The top five right now:

Rosberg, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Vettel, Perez.

The bottom five with eight minutes to go:

Maldonado, Hulkenberg, Kvyat, Alonso, Button.

But Nico Rosberg ends the Ferrari one-two, skating to top spot. His 1:56.824 is almost a second quicker than second-placed Hamilton.

Nico Rosberg is quickest through the first sector. Vettel will be the first over the line in Q2, but it looks like it will be a feeler lap from the German.

1:59.757 for the Ferrari driver, with Kimi Raikkonen going in front of him.

Not a great session for Sauber - both drivers eliminated.

Sebastian Vettel, probably more than a little frustrated, is at the front of the queue to leave the pit-lane. He has work to do.

Sebastian Vettel is a lucky, lucky boy.

He clings on to P15 to progress to Q2.

The drivers to get the chop are Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr, Alexander Rossi (on his home track), Will Stevens and Carlos Sainz.

Less than a minute left, and Hamilton times a flying lap to perfection. Rosberg can't improve. Max Verstappen slides into fourth.

Nico Rosberg questions why he is being kept out there. His team tell him it could be the only session - which is a good point.

Nico Rosberg sets a tremendous lap. 1:57.469.

But it doesn't last long - Daniel Ricciardo, despite a wobble, leapfrogs with a 1:57.163.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel clips the wall and causes damage.

Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Nasr, Alexander Rossi, Carlos Sainz and Will Stevens are in the drop zone.

I know it's obvious, but how good is Lewis in the wet?

He reduces his time to 1:58.025.

Daniel Ricciardo is in at second, only 0.160secs behind. Daniil Kvyat is third.

Five minutes of Q1 remaining.

Nico Rosberg completes his first lap and is into second, 0.482 behind Lewis Hamilton. Sebastian Vettel registers a time good enough for fourth.

Lewis Hamilton says the track is better. Nico Rosberg is quickest in sector one. Times are going to tumble.

We're under way again. It's unlikely Carlos Sainz will be back out - as it stands he'll progress to Q2, but I can't see it happening, with five eliminated in this round.

Crazy, wet grands prix? Which was your favourite?

Use #bbcf1 on Twitter to get involved.

So, is what we believe is correct, the first 10 minutes were supposed to be the most useful for setting a time. We've passed that.

Qualifying is set to restart in two minutes - the Ferraris are out in the pit-lane and are raring to go.

Only 11 drivers registered a time before that red flag - the timer is stopped with 12:46 remaining in Q1.

Here's the order:

HAM, RIC, KVY, VES, BOT, BUT, MAS, GRO, MAL, ERI, SAI

It's Carlos Sainz who is off at turn four, clipping the kerb and hitting the barrier. Both front wheels look a bit drunk and are on the floor.

"I crashed. Sorry," says Sainz. Apology accepted.

The first laps are coming in. Guess who's top? I'll give you one guess.

You got it - Lewis Hamilton in 1:59.393. The only sub-two minutes.

Oh - and we have a red flag already...

Force India tell Sergio Perez the best weather will be in the first 10 minutes.

Kimi Raikkonen chuckles as he explains the conditions are bad. Kimi, chuckling? Surely not.

"Get a lap on the board as soon as possible," Mercedes tell Lewis Hamilton on the radio.

The visibility is poor - there's plenty of spray. And there are plenty of cars on the track. Interesting.

This could be really, really fun. Wet track. Wet weather. Wet tyres. The qualifying session that was scheduled to begin when the first Back to the Future was filmed, is officially under way.

Brian's solved the problem of wet feet... sort of.

There is live commentary right now on BBC Radio 5 live and on online - you can find it by clicking the Live Coverage button on this page.

“Qualifying is due to start at 0900 local (1400 BST). If the conditions - which would appear to be have improved since Friday, with much less intense rain - mean that is not possible, then the FIA will give it until 1000 before giving up and focusing on getting the race going at 1400.”

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With all the excitement of rain and qualifying this morning, we've overlooked the small matter of Lewis Hamilton potentially making history today.

The Mercedes man can wrap up a third title, and become only the second Briton, after Sir Jackie Stewart, to win three championships, and the first to claim back-to-back victories.

Here is how he can do it...

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"Why is qualifying on a race day?" I hear you shout at me.

Well, if you weren't with us yesterday, you missed four hours of grueling torture as we sat and chatted among ourselves while qualifying continuously got moved back.

The storms associated with Hurricane Patricia had subsided, but the rain was relentless. It was too dangerous to race.

That didn't stop the teams larking about like pent up children during a wet school holiday - we saw engineers rowing in buckets, Daniel Ricciardo and Daniil Kvyat waltzing and a Force India engineer break dancing.

At least I think we did - I may have just dreamt it all.

There was a practice session earlier in the day, in which Lewis Hamilton was dominant - watch the highlights here.

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You, the general public, helped keep me sane yesterday through four hours of madness. So let's do it again.

As being as it's one of the wettest weekends in F1 history, we've been asking for your favourite rain-affected GPs.

Also, off the back of Andrew's wet-shoe woe, any top tips for drying out wet clothes?

Get involved using #bbcf1 on Twitter.

 “So, in case you hadn’t heard, it’s been quite wet here for the last couple of days. How wet? Well, there has been no qualifying yet for a start.

"On a more personal level, I have supposedly waterproof outdoor trail shoes. They were soaked quite early on Saturday.  When I got back to the hotel, I put newspaper in them, took it out of one of them and blew a hairdryer into it for 20 minutes, put newspaper back in them, went out for dinner (in different shoes), delayed going to bed for an hour to blow the hairdryer in both of them, put newspaper in them and left them overnight. They were still wet this morning.

“Anyway, although it’s still raining, it has eased off, and it looks like a wet qualifying ought to be able to take place at 0900 local (1400 GMT). After which it’s expected to stop raining before the race start at 1400 (19:00 GMT). It’s been a surreal and trying weekend for everyone in F1, but it should have a pretty exciting, wham-bam end to it.” 

After all the frustration of yesterday, we could well be rewarded with a super fun qualifying session in the rain.

And with the conditions drying for the race, in my book we could end up with the perfect day of F1 action. Make a thermos of coffee, grab yourself a giant bag of crisps (or chips for our Texan friends) and put them within arm's reach. It's going to be a stonker of a day.

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Hello and welcome to the qualifying session that will never end.

What should have started at 19:00 BST yesterday will now, hopefully, start at 14:00 GMT today.

That's right, it's taken so long to start qualifying, it's changed time zones.

Let's get the important stuff dealt with - how's the weather in Austin?