2012 United States Grand Prix The United States Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton takes the Texas headlines, but it's Vettel who edges out just a little further over Alonso in the championship race.

Vettel made a predictably solid start from pole position, as Hamilton got wheelspin on the dirty side of the circuit, allowing Mark Webber through into second. Behind them, Alonso made a stunning start from seventh to fourth and that was the making of another strong afternoon for the Spaniard.

Up front, Webber's alternator failed and that was his race done on the spot, leaving Hamilton to put the pressure on the championship leader. On lap 42 he made his move with the aid of DRS and was able to slip through and go on to a fabulous victory.

Vettel has a 13-point lead over Alonso going into Brazil, but Red Bull has clinched the constructors' championship today - a fine achievement. But the drivers' fight will go down to the wire and ensure headlines throughout next weekend.

This was the 2012 United States Grand Prix on AUTOSPORT Live. Thanks for joining us over the last three days of coverage. We will be back with all the action from the season finale at Interlagos next weekend. Join us then.

Stick with AUTOSPORT for all the reaction to a fantastic first race at the Circuit of the Americas.

Meanwhile, stewards will now be investigating an incident between Kovalainen and Glock at Turn 16.

Only one points gap that matters now, with Vettel 13 clear of Alonso heading to the showdown at Interlagos next weekend.

Three of the world's finest drivers finally together on the podium as Mario Andretti is introduced to interview the top three for the fans.

The top three and Whitmarsh stand atop the podium for the traditional end of race photograph.

The champagne sprays and Hamilton makes sure his boss gets a soaking, before moving onto another battle with Vettel.

And it's another podium trophy for Alonso as he takes the title fight to the wire in Brazil.

Vettel receives his award for second place. He raises the trophy above his head and looks pleased to have extended his points advantage.

Martin Whitmarsh is on hand to receive the constructors' award for the winning team, McLaren.

Lewis Hamilton is delighted as he collects the winner's trophy from Texas Governor Rick Perry

God Save the Queen rings out over the Circuit of the Americas for today's winners - Lewis Hamilton and McLaren.

Complete with Pirelli cowboy hats, they make their way onto the podium and Hamilton jumps for joy on the top step.

The top three drivers make their way into the cool-down room to compose themselves and towel down before the podium ceremony.

Two drivers retired from the United States Grand Prix:

Mark Webber pulled out of the race while running strongly, after an alternator failure and Jean-Eric Vergne was involved in a ding-dong battle with the Mercedes drivers, when he made light contact and was forced out with deranged suspension.

Meanwhile Hamilton is delighted with his win and jumps into the arms of his celebrating team.

Vettel pulls up at the second place marker and clearly that isn't the result the German wanted this afternoon.

Glock was 19th for Marussia with team-mate Pic 20th, de la Rosa 21st and Karthikeyan is the final finisher in 22nd position.

Ricciardo ends his race in 12th with Rosberg 13th, Kobayashi 14th, di Resta 15th, Schumacher 16th, Petrov 17th and Kovalainen in 18th spot.

And there are smiles at Red Bull as well with Vettel's finish being enough for the team to clinch the constructors award for the third time.

Hulkenberg comes home in eighth spot, holding off Maldonado and Senna in the final stages. Out of the points, Perez was 11th.

Delight for Hamilton as McLaren finally celebrates a return to the top step of the podium after recent car failures from the lead.

And it is a Lotus in seventh as well with Grosjean taking another good points finish.

A fighting sixth for Raikkonen with some great wheel-to-wheel dicing from the Abu Dhabi winner.

Fifth for Button in the end as he recovers from problems in qualifying thanks to a strategy gamble by starting on hard tyres.

Massa has a great drive to take fourth despite his sacrifice of grid position - with some fast pace today from the Brazilian.

Another brilliant podium finish for Alonso to keep his title challenge alive, profiting from team strategy and a strong first lap.

Vettel now has the fastest lap as we wait for Alonso to make it around.

Vettel fought Hamilton to the flag but ends up second, though still well in control of the title race.

A brilliant drive from the outgoing McLaren driver, finally making his race-long pressure pay off with a decisive lap 42 pass for the lead.

Lewis Hamilton wins the United States Grand Prix!

Lap 56: Schumacher remains in 16th. He caught di Resta some time ago, but has been unable to find a way through.

Lap 56: Alonso is way behind the leaders, some 40 seconds back, but on course for a vital podium.

Lap 56: Maldonado in ninth is now on the rear of Hulkenberg and may challenge for another spot on the final lap.

Lap 55: Hamilton flashes past the pits a lap away from back-to-back US Grand Prix victory.

Lap 55: Massa continues to underline his strong pace this afternoon as he takes back the fastest lap.

Lap 54: Grosjean has backed off from team-mate Raikkonen, as the team ensures sixth and seventh positions towards the end of the race.

Lap 54: Hamilton responds to the pressure with a new fastest lap, pulling 1.6 seconds clear of Vettel with two to go.

Lap 54: Massa takes the fastest lap away from Vettel, which won't be popular with the German.

Lap 54: Button reports on the team radio that he is losing a lot of lap time by not being able to use all of the KERS, suggesting there is a problem.