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

Bishop Yinkus:, external 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:, external "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.

Image source, _

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

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

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

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

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

Image source, Formula 1

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

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

Jessica:, external 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.

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"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."