Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have dominated the timesheets in the first practice session of the Grand Prix of the United States,, with Nasr and Verstappen taking part of it. The absence of Caterham and Marussia, and Daniel Ricciardo troubles marked the morning of the Circuit of the Americas.
First practice session in Austin and although it is the penultimate event of the season the Mercedes still dominate the timesheets. The surprise was the good positions of McLaren, with Button in less than a tenth of Rosberg and Magnussen boasting the fifth fastest time, behind Kvyat. Ferrari, meanwhile, have placed Fernando Alonso and Räikkönen in sixth and eleventh places.
The first practice was somehow normal, with tyres and configurations testing, although some teams like McLaren have been testing new aerodynamic parts and Lotus has brought a new front and retiring his trademark nose with asymmetrical double spear.
Hamilton was the first to set time, and even though it was on slicks, the first cars have been released with intermediate tyres after a night of rain that left a wet track.
Meanwhile, the Red Bulls begin the weekend with the wrong foot. Vettel may be not involved in qualifying and have to start from the pit-lane, Daniel Ricciardo has only been able to complete five laps in the first session. The Australian powertrain has failed and the mechanics have begun to repair without having time to get the car back on track.
Two young drivers who have been given seats for this first session have also attracted attention. These were Max Verstappen, replacing Jean-Éric Vergne at Toro Rosso and Felipe Nasr, replacing Valtteri Bottas at Williams. The young Belgian has caught more experience with 32 laps behind the wheel of the Toro Rosso, although nearly a second behind Kvyat. Tenth position for the young 17 year-old driver.
Meanwhile, Felipe Nasr has shone in the timesheets. Although he could roll around nineteen laps, Brazilian boy holds the eighth fastest time, less than one second of Sebastian Vettel. Felipe Massa was eleventh rolling twenty laps.
The second practice session will take place at 2:00 pm Texas time.
Results:
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Laps | Time | Gap | |
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Mercedes | 28 | 1:39,941 | |
| 2 | Nico Rosberg | GER | Mercedes | 32 | 1:40,233 | + 0,292 |
| 3 | Jenson Button | GBR | McLaren – Mercedes | 27 | 1:40,319 | + 0,378 |
| 4 | Daniil Kvyat (R) | RUS | Toro Rosso – Renault | 33 | 1:40,887 | + 0,946 |
| 5 | Kevin Magnussen (R) | DAN | McLaren – Mercedes | 29 | 1:40,987 | + 1,046 |
| 6 | Fernando Alonso | SPA | Ferrari | 27 | 1:41,065 | + 1,124 |
| 7 | Sebastian Vettel | GER | Red Bull Racing – Renault | 20 | 1:41,463 | + 1,522 |
| 8 | Felipe Nasr (R) | BRA | Williams – Mercedes | 19 | 1:41,545 | + 1,604 |
| 9 | Nico Hülkenberg | GER | Force India – Mercedes | 24 | 1:41,722 | + 1,781 |
| 10 | Max Verstappen (R) | NED | Toro Rosso – Renault | 32 | 1:41,785 | + 1,844 |
| 11 | Felipe Massa | BRA | Williams – Mercedes | 21 | 1:41,907 | + 1,966 |
| 12 | Kimi Räikkönen | FIN | Ferrari | 23 | 1:41,965 | + 2,024 |
| 13 | Pastor Maldonado | VEN | Lotus – Renault | 28 | 1:42,329 | + 2,388 |
| 14 | Adrian Sutil | GER | Sauber – Ferrari | 23 | 1:42,333 | + 2,392 |
| 15 | Sergio Pérez | MEX | Force India – Mercedes | 23 | 1:42,359 | + 2,418 |
| 16 | Esteban Gutiérrez | MEX | Sauber – Ferrari | 24 | 1:42,516 | + 2,575 |
| 17 | Daniel Ricciardo | AUS | Red Bull Racing – Renault | 5 | 1:42,598 | + 2,657 |
| 18 | Romain Grosjean | FRA | Lotus – Renault | 26 | 1:43,229 | + 3,288 |