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Hamilton leads the first session in Austin

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