Let's start with the world championship leader. Lewis, 17 points ahead, the biggest lead you've had this year so far, which poses the greater threat do you think: Nico or reliability from here on?
Lewis Hamilton: It's a good question. I don't know, I think they are both relatively de cent threats. But the guys have worked very hard to eradicate those through the year so I hope that we can all go through these next races together as a tea, without any of those issues.
Do you feel a bit more in control of things now, though?
LH: It doesn't really feel any different to several races ago really. As I keep saying: just fighting and chasing the ultimate goal.
You've won twice here in the US, once in Indianapolis and then the first race here at COTA. You have a great affinity for this country, how do you see the potential for Formula One here in the US?
LH: I think there is a huge market for Formula One. I think if you watch all the different sports here the people in this country are so passionate about sports in general, whether it be basketball, baseball or NFL or even NASCAR and IndyCar, so they are extremely enthusiastic about competition and wheel-to-wheel racing or just real out and out heart racing or competition. Whilst we only have one race here, there's lots of opportunity here for it to grow. I've just definitely seen from 2007, even though we missed out quite a few years, there's still quite a lot of growth here. I was in New York yesterday for example and there were people waiting outside this building, with signs and just Formula One fans with our team tops on, which was huge.
Thank you for that. Daniel, coming to you, nice look you're sporting this weekend. Third in the drivers' championship, you're 10-6 against Sebastian in qualifying, which means that whatever happens from here to the end of the season in the head-to-head he can't beat you. How does that feel?
Daniel Ricciardo: Yeah, I've said it I think before that I've been really happy with the season. Yeah, I guess it's exceeded my expectations and probably everyone else's as well. A few more races left, I would love to get another... or ar least a few more top results. I think Austin is a good chance for us. A circuit I've personally enjoyed a lot the last few years. I think it's not only fun to drive but for racing it provides... I honestly think it's the best circuit on the calendar for overtaking. I think there are more spots around the lap here for overtaking opportunities than any other, so that's always exciting. Yeah, so we'll see how we go. I think we should be alright here.
Well, the Red Bull boss has obviously spelled out that you're the new team leader of Red Bull Racing for 2015. The target then is now on your back. How big a threat do you see Kvyat being to you, to do to you what you have done to Sebastian this year?
DR: I feel a bit still young to the team but yeah I guess I will be the old guy next year. But yeah, I know Dani, I know him pretty well from a few years already. I definitely won't take him lightly. I know he's very quick and just because he's still inexperienced in Formula One I'm sure he's going to bring a lot to the team and a lot to the table. I'll keep working on myself, try to keep improving. I feel I'm not at my peak yet, so I'll try and get there personally first and then see where Dani fits in. I'm sure we'll have a good working relationship, we joke around a bit already now, so I think that light sort of humour will remain in the team.
Valtteri, coming to you, you scored your first ever Formula One points here at the Circuit of the Americas 12 months ago, and what a 12 months it's been since then for you, five podiums and now you're fourth in the drivers' championship. Is it realistic to think that you can improve on this for next year, which are the areas?
Valtteri Bottas: Yeah, I have really good memories from here, it's so good to be back. It's a nice circuit, everyone really likes to drive here. The atmosphere, everything is great. And like you said: what a 12 months it's been. It's been really good for us, we've been improving step by step, we made a big step in the winter and now we are in a really good position. But I do think we can still improve next year; that's the goal. We aim to do better than this season and I'm sure it is possible.
Looking at the characteristics of this Austin circuit, it looks like a track that should suit the Williams, like a number of places we've been this year. Is that the way you guys are reading it too? Do you think you can be a bit of a threat this weekend?
VB: Yeah, I think it should be not bad. I think we can be strong here. It could be difficult to be close to the Mercedes as we were in Sochi but still I think it should be good and we're going to have a good fight with Red Bull and Ferrari for sure.
Romain, coming to you, you finished second here last year, great memories there, but you've only had two points finishes since that fantastic result. Are you committing your future to Lotus? Can you tell us any more about that and whether Lotus is the right team for you?
Romain Grosjean: Yeah, very good memories from last year, not so good to remind me that I only scored two times this year. For a long time I've said that Lotus will be much better next year than they are this year, for a few reasons. There's been a lot of work at the factory and the fact that the team brings a new nose here just to try to prepare for 2015 is a strong sign. I have a contract with the team. I have the option to leave if I want to - this is from some performance clause. So far there are still places available at top teams or they haven't been confirmed and that's there where I want to be in the near future and that's what we try to do.
It sounds like the ball is in your court. In terms of news, of course you've got some good news. I understand you're going to have another. So at the end of a difficult year a nice bit of news for you and your wife.
RG: At least that worked! So, pretty good timing as well for next year. I think personally I had a tough season with the results but outside the track I lost four people that were very close to me, the next one being the boss of Total, Christophe de Margerie, last week or the week before. So I thought it was important to announce good news. We have support in tough times but now we have support in good times and I am glad to be the father of a family of almost four people.
Many congratulations to you. Staying on the theme of next year, Sergio, if we could come to you, your team-mate, Nico Hulkenberg, has confirmed for 2015 with Force India, where are you with the process? Is the deal almost done?
Sergio Perez: Yes, it's getting very close. Obviously it's getting close to the end of the season, so things are getting very close to sort out the deal for the team. I definitely want to stay longer in the team. I want to establish myself in the team. I'm four years in Formula One and I've been moving around probably too many times. So I want to do a second year with the team and that's my target. So hopefully everything goes right and we can announce things soon.
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