Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes AMG Petronas drives in a practice session at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Friday October 21, 2016. JAY JANNER / AMERICAN-STATESMAN
It was more Mercedes in practice 2 Friday afternoon for Formula One’s United States Grand Prix.
Nico Rosberg, the season championship points lead, posted the fastest lap with a 1:37.358 at Circuit of the Americas. Earlier in practice 1, Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton led the way, with Rosberg second.
The second practice was much more competitive than the first on a dry, clear track with temperatures in the mid-70s and 10-15-mph wind gusts out of the north.
Rosberg’s advantage on Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo was only two-tenths of a second, with Hamilton a further tenth back in third.
Sebastian Vettel, the 2013 U.S. Grand Prix winner, led the Ferrari charge in fourth place, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen also finishing within a second of Rosberg’s time.
The Force Indias of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez were sixth and seventh.
Haas F1 Team, the first-year American-owned outfit, finished well off the pace. Romain Grosjean took 18th with a 1:39.554 and Esteban Gutierrez was 20th with a 1:40.114.
Several drivers went for spins: Renault’s Jolyon Palmer in turn 8, Manor’s Esteban Ocon and Toro Rosso’s Carlos Sainz in turn 18 and Rosberg, ever so briefly, in turn 19.
