Isack Hadjar is next to come in during this pit window and the Frenchman is placed on the hard compound for a one-stopper. He asks his Red Bull pit wall why these tyres, as he continues his race in sixth place.

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Race leader Kimi Antonelli is called in to pit, which moves Max Verstappen up into P1 ahead of the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

It's hard tyres for the Italian, who rejoins the action in third spot ahead of the Ferrari Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen: "Thanks guys. Really good strategy there. Stuck in the dirty air. ****."

Damon Hill
1996 world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live in Austin

The Mercedes pit stop of George Russell's car was fantastic given they had to wait five seconds.

Engineer: "Let Max pass into Turn 12."

Red Bull ask nicely if Isack Hadjar can move out the way and let Max Verstappen through. The Frenchman obliges, and the four-time world champion lifts himself back into second place.

He's not pleased with the team's strategy, though, telling them he was stuck in the dirty air.

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Damon Hill
1996 world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live in Austin

This is really showing that Mercedes have a comfortable advantage on tyre wear. Verstappen has to push very hard now to make up the deficit.

Engineer: "This is a good pace Kimi. Let's keep it up. Let's go as long as we can."

It;s looking like a one-stop race for Georgw Russell, as he's placed on the hard compound like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The Briton serves his time penalty and comes out in 10th place.

Oscar Piastri overtakes Liam Lawson and is now on the hunt to pass McLaren team-mate Lando Norris.

Mercedes have kept Kimi Antonelli out on his medium tyres, just as the call goes up for Mercedes team-mate George Russell to come in.

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Engineer: "Ok Ollie, that's a 10 second penalty for the collision with Gasly."

Bearman: "You're kidding me!"

Kimi Antonelli is still out on his starting medium tyres, with Isack Hadjar 12 seconds behind the Mercedes on his 21-lap old soft compound.

Max Verstappen is up to third after his pit stop and Charles Leclerc is fourth having passed George Russell.

Engineer: "Target plus 10 laps."

Damon Hill
1996 world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live in Austin

Can Ferrari make this a one stop? I think that's going to be difficult but we shall see it unfold. The key to all of this is seeing how far Antonelli can go on these medium tyres. So far nearly up to 20 laps, looking very strong. Tactically he has to be looking at the one stop after Verstappen's pit stop.

Hadjar: "We should stay out a bit."

Engineer: "Yeah, copy mate, copy mate. So stay out. stay out a bit."

Charles Leclerc is in fifth place after his opening stop and now the Ferrari man is the fastest car on track on the medium compound. team-mate Lewis Hamilton is on sixth place, with Lando Norris on his tail after passing Liam Lawson.

Oliver Bearman has just been told he has been handed a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with thte Alpine of Pierre Gasly. The Briton is not please with the information.

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George Russell has been dispatched with ease by Max Verstappen, and now the Dutchman is 16 seconds behind race leader Kimi Antonelli.

Pierre Gasly doesn't put up a fight when Lando Norris comes knocking on the door for his P8 spot. The Frenchman drops to ninth, but he hasn't pitted yet.

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Damon Hill
1996 world champion on BBC Radio 5 Live in Austin

Max Verstappen has lost a little bit of pace on these soft tyres now.

Max Verstappen is rapid on his fresh soft rubber and now he's chasing down George Russell. The Mercedes driver is yet to pit and serve his five-second time penalty, and the Red Bull is inching closer and closer.