F1 – US Grand Prix LIVE: Lap-by-lap updates as Lando Norris looks to further close the gap on championship leader Max Verstappen

The track has been cleared of celebrities, bystanders, team staff and finally we are almost ready to get underway in searing temperatures with a track temperature of 47 degrees so expect most drivers to start on medium tyres.

Norris will lead the grid off on a formation lap and you wonder what pace he will go at knowing it could be a long wait at the start of the grid.

Verstappen won the sprint race yesterday as his Red Bull car finally once again showed dominant race pace and the championship leader believes he can put the pressure on Norris from the off.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Verstappen said: ‘The car seemed a lot better in the sprint yesterday and now I hope it is sustained today. Normally if you/re quick in the sprint and don’t make changes to your car it shoud replicate into the main race.

‘We have to be wary but I am hopeful we can have a good race. A win would make our lives a bit easier and hopefully from now onwards we can be more competitive.’

We are almost ready for the pre-race fanfare to finish as the American national anthem gets underway at the Circuit of the Americas.

A choir standing on a podium way up in the skyline belt out the iconic anthem as thousands watch on and in just a few moments time we’ll be ready to go with the formation lap.

Mercedes aren’t expected to challenge for the podium today in Texas but their efforts have been made even more difficult as George Russell starts from the pits following a crash.

Norris is still adusting to his newfound role of paddock favourite and comes into tonight’s huge race knowing that both Ferrarri and Red Bull are likely to put them under greater pressure than before.

The championship hopeful finished third in Saturday’s sprint event and revealed how he must drive with more respect for his tyres today as the team weigh up their pit strategy.

Today’s front grid is really where the whole attention of the championship title race is with Lando Norris the driver in form after winning in Singapore last time out and now less than 100 points behind the reigning world champion.

Verstappen hasn’t won since the Spanish GP in June but has had improvements made to his car over the past few weeks and you expect him to challenge Norris going into the first corner.

Hello, good evening, we hope you’re weekend has been packed full of sport and tonight you join us in Texas for the United States GP where Lando Norris starts on pole as favourite.

It’s been almost a month since the Singapore GP and with plenty of changes made during the mid-season break this is a race that will have a huge bearing on the final season standings.

Lights out are at 8pm and we have plenty to get through before then!