Free Practice – United States: Rain Drenches the Austin Circuit

Once again this season, the teams learned virtually nothing this Friday due to the rain. Indeed, it fell on the circuit well before the start of the first session. The track managed to dry enough to allow the drivers to use intermediate tires. However, with an average of only ten laps completed per driver, the recorded data will be scarce.

In the end, Nico Rosberg recorded the fastest time of the session, with a margin of more than a second over the Red Bulls of Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo. The championship leader, Lewis Hamilton, completed only four laps, one of which nevertheless allowed him to secure the 5th fastest time of the session.

It is worth noting the diligence on track of the two McLaren drivers, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button, who completed 18 and 20 laps respectively during the session. This allowed them to break in their new Honda engine, which seems to be satisfactory in terms of reliability. The Spaniard even managed to get into the top 10, with the 9th fastest time of the session.

“When they say everything is bigger in Texas they mean it; especially the rain”> https://t.co/dpVAPmeYXW #USGP pic.twitter.com/kjJgE3jPN5

— Formula 1 (@F1) 23 Octobre 2015

Regarding the second session, it was initially postponed by 56 minutes to wait for the storm to pass. Ultimately, the organizers simply decided to cancel it because the weather conditions would have prevented the rescue helicopter from taking off in case of an emergency.

The third practice session as well as the qualifying session could take place tomorrow or not happen at all depending on the weather conditions. A race director’s meeting, scheduled for 2 PM (Paris time), is expected to make a decision.