US Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton denied title as Kimi Raikkonen seals first win in over five years
Re-live the action from the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas
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Your support makes all the difference.Lewis Hamilton missed out on the world championship on Sunday evening as Kimi Raikkonen spoiled the party to clinch his first victory since March 2013.
Hamilton knew that a victory would have almost certainly secured him a fifth title, but Raikkonen gave him something to think about immediately as he took the lead into the first corner. However, Hamilton was still on for the championship as Sebastian Vettel spun on the opening lap, having made contact with Daniel Ricciardo.
But as Vettel fought back, Hamilton switched to a two-stop strategy that, ultimately, just fell short in getting him in to the second place that he needed as Max Verstappen came through the field to take second place with a phenomenal drive from 18th place on the grid.
The results means that while Hamilton is not yet the 2018 world champion, Vettel must win all three of the remaining races this season to stand any chance of stopping the Mercedes driver, who only needs seventh place in Mexico next time out to secure his victory.
Re-live all the action below.
What time does it start?
The US Grand Prix starts at 7:10pm on Sunday 21 October.
Where can I watch it?
The United States Grand Prix will be shown live on Sky Sports F1 (5:30 BST) and Main Event (6:30pm BST) and Channel 4 (6pm BST).
Starting grid
1 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1min 32.237secs
2 Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 1:32.307
3 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Mercedes GP 1:32.616
4 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) Red Bull 1:33.494
5 Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Ferrari 1:32.298 + three-place penalty
6 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Force India 1:34.145
7 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Renault 1:34.215
8 Romain Grosjean (Fra) Haas F1 1:34.250
9 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Sauber-Ferrari 1:34.420
10 Sergio Perez (Mex) Force India 1:34.594
11 Carlos Sainz (Spa) Renault 1:34.566
12 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:34.734
13 Fernando Alonso (Spa) McLaren 1:35.294
14 Sergey Sirotkin (Rus) Williams 1:35.362
15 Lance Stroll (Can) Williams 1:35.480
16 Marcus Ericsson (Swe) Sauber-Ferrari 1:35.536
17 Stoffel Vandoorne (Bel) McLaren 1:35.735
18 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull No Time + Five place grid penalty for gearbox change
19 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time + start from back due to engine penalties
20 Brendon Hartley (Nzl) Scuderia Toro Rosso No Time + start from back due to engine penalties
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's United States Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton has his first chance to secure a fifth world championship at one of hos favourite tracks in the Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton will wrap up the title if he wins the Grand Prix and rival Sebastian Vettel fails to finish second.
With lights out at 7:10pm, we'll begin our full race build-up at 6pm, but for now you can revisit how qualifying unfolded last night.
Good evening, and boy do we have a treat for you as the US Grand Prix comes with the added bonus of being a ptential championship decider.
Lewis Hamilton goes for his fifth world title, but on the flip side Sebastian Vettel is fully aware that he needs to turn on the style if he's to keep his slim title hopes alive as he needs to come through the field.
Thankfully, all of this will take place on the wide, flowing and fast tarmac that is the Circuit of the Americas that normally encourages overtaking throughout the field, not to mention down the enormously long back straight. With an hour to go until lights out, let's take a look at the biggest talking points.
The title battleLong story short, Lewis Hamilton is odds-on to leave Texas as the newly-crowned world champion. Hamilton starts from pole position and, if he wins, Vettel will have to finish second to keep the title battle alive heading to Mexico - and even that Hamilton would need just a point in Mexico next weekend to wrap it all up.
If Hamilton doesn't win it though, there are plenty of permutations that will come into play, which you can find out here.
The constructors' championshipThis is one battle that is guaranteed to go to Mexico as Mercedes cannot win a fifth straight championship this evening. However, their 78-point lead over Ferrari is a handy advantage with only four races remaining, and it's going to take a double-retirement for the German team for Ferrari to get back into the fight.
Further down, Red Bull have third place wrapped up, but an almighty battle is raging between Renault and Haas for fourth while McLaren are at risk this weekend of being reeled in for sixth by Force India, who look pretty handy in Texas.
*PITS OPEN*
The circuit comes to life as the green light appears at the end of pit lane, giving the drivers their first chance to head out and see how track conditions are.
It's clear skies above, which hasn't exactly been the case this weekend after Friday's wet running and yesterday's unusually cold temperatures.
Stat attack
Here's an odd one for you: every time an F1 race has been run on 21 October, the drivers' championship has been decided. In 1984 it was Niki Lauda who prevailed, six years later it was Ayrton Senna who clinched the title via the infamous first-lap crash with Alain Prost, and 11 years ago it was Ferrari and Kimi Raikkonen who emerged victorious to spark the celebrations.
Will the same happen today?
Feeling relaxed Lewis?
Lewis Hamilton runs to the crowd ahead of the US Grand Prix
Not as cool as Daniel Ricciardo, though...
Daniel Ricciardo arrives for the US Grand Prix
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