Hamilton jumps on the top of his car in celebration. He's delighted with the victory. Vettel congratulates him in parc ferme but in all honesty he looks gutted.

Nice touch from Vettel though as they crossed the line, he applauds Hamilton from within his car.

For the first time ever, Hamilton, Vettel and Alonso will stand on the podium together.

What a touch; Pirelli have COWBOY HATS for the podium! The drivers laugh as they are handed them. They come off though as they stand on the podium and the national anthem rings out. Hamilton is keen to put it on again, and I must admit they look awesome.

Martin Whitmarsh lifts the constructors' trophy above his head and Vettel pats him on the back and says "good job". It's a smile on Vettel's face, but Alonso shows great determination on his face as he points to his Ferrari team and lifts his trophy above his head. With this result, you must admit that Ferrari's move paid off this morning. In response to Tony's email "What cheating by Ferrari shouldn't there be a penalty for this" - it wasn't cheating, it's allowed in the rules.

Mario Andretti asking the questions on the podium, Vettel says: "Well done to Lewis, he had one chance and he took it".

Alonso praises the circuit and the fans - many of who are on the track and chanting "A-lon-so, A-lon-so".

With that it's time for us to sign off. In seven days it will come down to one race in Interlagos; just 13 points separating Vettel and Alonso and we know anything can happen in the last race of the season. What a climax it will be. Oh, and the forecast is for rain...

Stick with ESPNF1.com for all the reaction to today's race, and thank you for joining us. It was such a close race I'm sorry we couldn't use all your comments and questions, but make sure you join us again for live commentary from Interlagos in just five days time. See you then.

Lap 56

We're on to the final lap; Hamilton set the fastest lap on the last one. He's 1.8s clear and looks set for what could be his final win with McLaren.

Maldonado is within 0.5s of Hulkenberg on this final lap...

Here comes Hamilton, despite a charging Vettel, and LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX!

Pop open the champagne; Vettel sets the fastest lap and Red Bull win the 2012 Constructors' Championship.

Alonso does what he does best and finishes third, getting the maximum out of the Ferrari and taking the title right down to the wire.

Massa comes home fourth ahead of Button, while Raikkonen is sixth. Grosjean finishes seventh and Hulkenberg holds on to eighth just ahead of Maldonado and Senna.

It's Hamilton's 21st victory, and it comes by just 0.6s as Vettel set the fastest lap on the final lap. What a race at the front that was.

Lap 55

Marlon emails in: "Hamilton is the man in Austin ... he even is helping Alonso for the title ... but the cherry on the cake would be vettel's alternator ...which could also help !!!"

Doesn't looks likely, but Hamilton has eased away a touch. Massa sets another fastest lap while Raikkonen has dropped Grosjean by three seconds

Lap 54

Hamilton the first man under 1m40s to set the fastest lap. He leads by 1.6s. Vettel has a lot to lose in these final two and a bit laps because he will gain on Alonso and Red Bull is set to take the constructors' championship.

Lap 53

The gap at the front is 1.5s but Vettel gets the DRS from Pic and closes half a second in the middle sector. Hamilton responds in the final sector but Vettel sets the fastest lap. The gap is 1.4s.

Button radios in to say "Guys we're losing a lot of lap time by not being able to use all of the KERS". Massa sets the fastest lap of the race but is 10s behind Alonso and 5.7s clear of Button

Grosjean not making much impression on Raikkonen right now but sixth is up for grabs.

Lap 52

Hamilton leads by 1.3s. Still close. Grosjean is told to use the overtake button but he locks up in to 15. He radios in to say "I'm much quicker, can I have a go?" The response is "OK".

Maldonado dives up the inside of Senna in to turn one and muscles his way past for ninth. Raikkonen's pace has bunched up the field, he's 1.7s clear of Grosjean with Hulkenberg, Maldonado and Senna close behind