Lewis Hamilton fastest in rain-affected final practice in Texas

Lewis Hamilton has topped the timesheets in final practice for Sunday's United States Grand Prix and could have already secured pole position.

Heavy rain is forecast at the Circuit of the Americas and the session was also in doubt due to the adverse weather, caused by tropical storm Patricia.

However, Hamilton became the only man to break the two-minute barrier at the rain-soaked track, finishing 0.863 seconds ahead of the fastest time from Sebastian Vettel, who will have a 10-place grid penalty for using more engines that permitted during the season.

Qualifying could be moved to Sunday if conditions worsen, but if race officials decide to use times recorded in FP3 then the Briton will start from first, with Nico Hulkenberg also on the front row of the grid.

Hamilton will be crowned world champion for the third time, if he wins in Texas and Vettel fails to finish second.

Full standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton 2. Sebastian Vettel 3. Nico Hulkenberg 4. Valtteri Bottas 5. Carlos Sainz Jr 6. Daniil Kvyat 7. Kimi Raikkonen 8. Daniel Ricciardo 9. Nico Rosberg 10. Felipe Massa 11. Sergio Perez 12. Romain Grosjean 13. Pastor Maldonado 14. Fernando Alonso 15. Marcus Ericsson 16. Jenson Button 17. Will Stevens 18. Alexander Rossi 19. Felipe Nasr 20. Max Verstappen