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

Norris leads the grid on a formation lap with the top twelve drivers, all on medium tyres.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who started 17th, opted for harder tires as Mercedes look to make further progress in the race without pitting.

The track has been cleared of celebrities, passersby, team personnel and everything else, and we’re finally almost ready to go.

The Texas weather brings scorching temperatures with a track temperature of 47 degrees, so most drivers are expected to start on medium tires.

Norris will lead the field on a formation lap and one wonders 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 showed dominant race pace once again and the championship leader believes he can put pressure on Norris from the start.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Verstappen said: “The car looked a lot better in yesterday’s sprint and now I hope it holds up today.” Normally, if you are fast in the sprint and don’t make any changes to your car, it should be replicated in the main race.

‘We have to be careful, but I am hopeful that we can have a good race. “A victory would make our lives a little easier and we hope that from now on we can be more competitive.”

We’re almost ready for the pre-race fanfare to end when the American national anthem begins at Circuit of the Americas.

A choir standing on a podium high above the horizon sings the iconic anthem while thousands of people watch and in just a few moments we will be ready to begin the formation lap.

Mercedes are not expected to challenge for the podium today in Texas, but their efforts have become even more difficult when George Russell starts from the pits after an accident.

Norris is still adjusting to his new role as favorite in the paddock and goes into tonight’s big race knowing that both Ferrarri and Red Bull are likely to put them under greater pressure than before.

The championship contender finished third in Saturday’s speed test and revealed that he must drive with more respect for his tires today as the team weighs its pit strategy.

The front grid today is really where all the attention is in the championship title race, with Lando Norris, the driver in form after winning in Singapore last time and now less than 100 points behind the reigning world champion.

Verstappen has not won since the Spanish GP in June, but has made improvements to his car over recent weeks and is expected to challenge Norris entering the first corner.

Hello, good evening, we hope your weekend has been full of sport and tonight you join us in Texas for the United States GP, where Lando Norris starts from pole as favorite.

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

Lights out at 8 pm and we have a lot to do before then!