Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Image source, AP

"Jenson Button has admitted this weekend in Austin that he has found the uncertainty about his future unsettling and difficult to handle. It remains unclear whether he will be retained by McLaren next year - and by extension stay in F1 - as the team continue to hope Fernando Alonso will join them for 2015. Button says he has been through some dark days dealing with this, but has come through them now.

"'I'm just making sure I'm enjoying it and not feeling like I was a few weeks ago before Japan when I felt under massive pressure,' Button said. 'I think both of us did as drivers. It's not a nice way to feel as drivers. I feel in a much better place now, as I was in Russia, just getting my head down and enjoying my racing and what happens happens.' Button said he had not been told anything about McLaren's plans, he had just altered his thinking on the subject, with the help of friends and family.

"But he did betray a frustration at the team. 'We found something on set-up that's helped me,' he said. 'Just general set-up work. Something that has taken longer than it should of.' Button's engineer was changed mid-season, from the experienced Dave Robson to the inexperienced Tom Stallard."

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton has been sporting a nifty piece of bling this weekend - a chain displaying an image of Andy Warhol's "Cars, Mercedes Benz 300 SL Coupe".

You can listen to commentary - which is available online only - with James Allen in the box and Jennie Gow in the pit lane from 18:55 GMT, with the session starting at 19:00.

Image source, Sauber on Twitter

Sauber on Twitter:, external In between sessions, Esteban Gutierrez is quickly practicing his lasso skills. Did he catch the bull?

Today's second session will last 90 minutes and see the teams and drivers use the option tyre - which in this case is the soft - for the first time this weekend. There will be a focus on longer runs, but with a qualifying simulation thrown in, too.

Image source, Getty Images

Evening all and a very warm welcome to live coverage of second practice for the 2014 United States Grand Prix. We're in Austin, Texas for round 17 of the Formula 1 World Championship, which sees Lewis Hamilton lead Nico Rosberg by 17 points with 100 left on the table.

Daniel Ricciardo is the only driver mathematically still in which a chance of victory - but it would take a miracle, one similar to Kimi Raikkonen's in 2007, for the Australian to snatch the title this term.

Trick or treat? Nico Rosberg could certainly do with the latter. The German is falling back in the title battle with every passing race and desperately needs to turn the tide this weekend in Austin.

The early signs weren't good as he was beaten to top spot in first practice by his team-mate and title rival Lewis Hamilton. What can he pull out of the bag in second practice?

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton will have plenty to smile about after comfortably topping the times in first practice. The Briton has performed well at this circuit in the past, winning the inaugural race in 2012. Can he keep today's momentum running into second practice. Join me from 18:30 GMT to find out. See ya in a bit.

Simon Airey: Great series of laps from Lewis Hamilton. World Champion elect?

Catch up on that session with our developing first practice report or keep an eye on the F1 pages for video highlights later today.

1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Button 4) Kvyat 5) Magnussen 6) Alonso

7) Vettel 8) Nasr 9) Hulkenberg 10) Verstappen 11) Massa 12) Raikkonen

13) Maldonado 14) Sutil 15) Perez 16) Gutierrez 17) Ricciardo 18) Grosjean

Track action continues, despite the session being over, because the FIA are testing out their "virtual safety car system".

The system, which forces drivers to slow in an accident zone, is aimed at eliminating the possibility of a repeat of the accident that left Jules Bianchi in a critical condition.

Frenchman Bianchi remains in hospital with severe head injuries suffered when he hit a recovery vehicle in a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix this month.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton finishes fastest in first practice for the United States Grand Prix.

Replays show Kimi Raikkonen appears to get caught out by Pastor Maldonado, who he was following closely on entry to the pit lane, and has ultimately overshot his pit-box.

He stops the car further down, cuts the engine and then waits for his mechanics to run down to rescue him.

Tony, Corby: Hamilton, Rosberg 1,2. Ok sorted.. onto Brazil!!!

That Lotus looks like a right handful. Romain Grosjean has a huge moment, when the rear end starts twitching, sending him off the track. "Do I have a puncture?" he asks. "No puncture, Romain."

Seconds later, his team-mate Pastor Maldonado has another off with a similarly poor handling car. I bet they can't wait to see the back of this season's Lotus.

Jack:, external Great to see the young guns having a go at a rather tricky track in my opinion.

Sebastian Vettel is out of his car to signal the end of his session for the four-time world champion. He's currently seventh quickest, 1.5 seconds off the pace.

Kimi Raikkonen runs wide at the uphill Turn One, but he's soon back on track without any damage.

Faseeh Warind:, external It's going to be a repeat of last year. Hamilton will win this by a proverbial mile.

Josh Robson-Hemmings:, external If Rosberg wins on double points in Abu Dhabi I think I'm done with this sport

Alastair Stewart:, external Does anyone think double-points in #AbuDhabiGP is sensible, fair or intelligent?