Austin , Texas ( CNN ) -- Lewis Hamilton was the fastest racer in the West as he won the United States Grand Prix to add fuel to his world title chances . Flags and banners bearing his name waved under sunny skies at the circuit outside the Texan city of Austin -- and he did not disappoint the grandstands . Hamilton daringly dived up the inside of Nico Rosberg on lap 24 to snatch the lead from his Mercedes teammate . `` Nico was n't defending really and I almost caught him unaware , Hamilton later said of the maneuver . `` There was n't a moment in the race when I did n't think I could get him . '' The victory was Hamilton 's 10th of the season and moved him 24 points clear of his fierce title rival with two races left to go . But even if Hamilton wins next week 's Brazilian Grand Prix just ahead of Rosberg , there is still a chance the 2008 champion will be denied a second title . A new ruling for 2014 will see double points awarded at the last race in Abu Dhabi -- which means a win is worth 50 points instead of 25 . There were swirling suggestions in Austin that Mercedes are privately worried that a final twist of fate in this fierce title race lies ahead in the desert denouement . Perhaps unsurprisingly though , Rosberg spoke favorably of the rule change . `` For me it 's great to hear because there 's a definite shot at the championship , '' he said . Elsewhere , Daniel Ricciardo -- the only driver other than the Mercedes duo to take the checkered flag this season -- finished third for Red Bull after another battling race in Austin . `` It was n't boring out there , '' the Australian said . `` We had good pace , we were strong . I 'm really happy with the third -- I think it was the best we could do today . But despite Ricciardo 's excitement just 18 cars -- instead of the full complement of 22 -- lined up here on the Texan grid . The Caterham and Marussia teams were forced to miss the race because of financial difficulties and have also dropped out of next week 's Brazilian Grand Prix . Caterham racer Marcus Ericsson chose to attend the U.S. Grand Prix anyway but he told CNN , `` I was out racing with these guys a couple of weeks ago in Russia and now I 'm not racing . `` It 's disappointing and strange . '' For others at the heart of Formula One , the race weekend was also clouded with concern over the sport 's financial future . Bernie Ecclestone , the sport 's commercial rights holder , took the unusual step of holding a media conference at the Circuit of the Americas . `` We have to decide the best way to sort this whole thing out , '' said Ecclestone , who had earlier hinted the grid could shrink to 14 cars next season because of the growing costs of running an F1 team . `` Frankly , I know what 's wrong but do n't know how to fix it . No one is prepared to do anything about it because they ca n't . '' Ecclestone was referring to the complex commercial agreement the teams have signed that binds them until 2020 . The sport 's governing body , the FIA , issued a statement saying it was `` in favor of any initiative that will help reduce costs in order to ensure the survival of the existing grid . '' While there may be two races left to settle the 2014 world title and double points on offer come the finale , for the teams lower down the grid it may be a case of double or quits when it comes to their finances .
Nico Rosberg of Mercedes wins Austin Grand Prix in Austin , Austin . British driver held off teammate Nico Rosberg to extend championship lead . 22 cars instead of full 22 took part in race due financial difficulties at U.S. and Marussia .