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Max Verstappen finished third on Friday in the second rainy free practice session in the United States, where most of the best drivers only appeared on the track in the last few minutes. Lewis Hamilton was again the fastest.
It was not until after an hour that the first attempt was made on the sodden circuit in Austin and with a minute or ten in advance, most of the best drivers also remained during one moment.
Hamilton was again more than a second faster than the others with a time of 1.48.716. Pierre Gasly, the Toro Rosso rider, Verstappen's teammate next year at Red Bull Racing, was surprisingly number two with 1.49.728. Verstappen was right behind with 1.49.798.
McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso (1.51.728) and Renault's Nico Hulkenberg (1.52.208) complete the top five. Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton's only remaining competitor to fight for the world title, was disappointed. The Ferrari German did not go further than the tenth time in 1.53.912 on the wet circuit.
Earlier in the day, Verstappen had already set the third best time of the first practice session. During this training, the rain was less heavy and only the Mercedes-duo Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas were faster than the Red Bull driver.
The preparation for the race in the United States continues on Saturday with the third free practice (20h00) and qualification (23h00).
Grid Penalty for Vettel
Immediately after the second practice session, Vettel's problems increased, Hamilton's rider learned that he had received a three-seater grid penalty for ignore a red. flag during the first practice session.
A Vettel penalty is good news for Hamilton, who can secure his fifth world title in the United States. The Briton can call himself 2018 World Champion when he wins and competitor Vettel will not be second.
At a Hamilton second place, the German must finish in the top five and in third place, Vettel needs a top-seven finish. 19659007] Hamilton dominates in the United States for years
Last year, Hamilton was the best of the Circuit of the Americas, like the previous three years and the years 2007 and 2012. The first three drivers were completed a year ago by Ferrari drivers Vettel and Räikkönen.
Verstappen then ranked third for Red Bull, but was replaced by a steering command because he had cut the corner.
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