F1-EL2: Hamilton ahead despite a technical problem

Lewis Hamilton concludes the first day at the Circuit of the Americas with mixed feelings. If the Briton set the best time in the second session, three thousandths ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg, he was forced to prematurely end his effort this evening, following a recall from his stand for a technical problem on his W05 Hybrid, a leak having been detected according to the 2008 World Champion. The two Silver Arrows also encountered gearbox problems when changing gears.

Fernando Alonso place Ferrari F14 T in third position more than a second behind Mercedes, in front, there Red Bull de Daniel Ricciardo who overcame his hybrid system problems in FP1. Felipe Massa (Williams) takes 5th place at the wheel of a discreet FW36 this Friday and is ahead of Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso). Both McLaren de Magnussen and Button were less energetic than in EL1, but remained in the top 10 which was completed by the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg.

On the French side, Romain Grosjean places his Lotus E22 in 12th position just ahead of his compatriot Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso). Note Grosjean's spectacular spin in the first sector during the session. To finally find traces of Sebastian Vettel, we must look towards the last place in the ranking, the German not having wanted to seek performance while his Power Unit Renault will be completely replaced, forcing the Red Bull driver to start from the pitlane for breaching the rule of five engines allowed per season.

The third and final free practice session will begin tomorrow afternoon at 16 p.m. French time before qualifying at 19 p.m. Everything will obviously be followed live on our website. Photos from the United States Grand Prix can be viewed here.