Former driver and Top Gear presenter Tiff Needell is enjoying the coverage...

Listen to the BBC team talk about everything except the action on the track by clicking the Live Coverage button on this page.

Oh, it really is awful in Austin. The rain is slapping down with the ferocity of a big fella dive-bombing into a swimming pool. That sounds like thunder rolling in the background.

While the start of FP2 is delayed, feel free to discuss the merits of the acting work of James Marsden. Apparently he was in Saved by the Bell too!

(I'm definitely not filling time).

Green blobs bad. Red blobs more bad.

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner talking to BBC Sport: "There's a lot more rain due. If we can run we will get out there because it could be like this on Sunday."

Horner completely straight-bats questions about rumours linking them with an engine deal with Honda next year.

"When there's something to tell, you'll be the first to know."

He also told Sky Sports they'd be the first to know, so he's fibbing to someone.

You can listen to commentary by clicking the Live Coverage button on this page.

It actually looks like the rain has slowed some what - but the clouds on the horizon are big and nasty looking.

So, while we wait for FP2 to start, why not take a look at the highlights (or should that be highlight?) from FP2.

You can do so right here.

Jenson Button is doing some schmoozing.

Here he is with James Marsden.

I wasn't sure who he was either - until I realised he's Cyclops from X-Men. One of the most underused characters of the franchise in my opinion.

Most of us love it when it gets wet and wild - particularly during a race. Tell us about your favourite rain-hit GPs using #bbcf1 on Twitter.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, AFP

There are currently yellow school buses going up the home straight every few minutes. It's a bit like a scene from a Hollywood disaster movie when they use all the school buses to evacuate a city. With this storm approaching, it might not be far from the truth.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Austin

“The controversy over the collision between Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas in Russia two weeks ago was still rumbling as the F1 circus pitched camp in Texas.

"Raikkonen was not shifting from his opinion that he had done nothing especially wrong - ‘I would still do it tomorrow again’ - nor Bottas from his opinion that Raikkonen was over-ambitious.

"Raikkonen, who had successfully pulled the same move earlier in the race, was asked whether he had not realised that Bottas would close the door if he tried it again. ‘I saw it in the end,’ he said, ‘but obviously once you’ve decided to go there…. I tried to brake and turn as much as I could but there’s no way to avoid it. Maybe he didn't expect it or didn't see me. I tried to slow down and turn in but y’know, in the end if there’s no space, there’s no space. We’re going to collide.

"'It’s unfortunate, but that’s racing. We are here to race. It is pointless to cry afterwards. I’m sure that people like it more than just following each other’.”

This is how dull FP1 was...

Hamilton took to Snapchat in an attempt to amuse himself (and his many, many followers), saying he was "sooo bored". We'll give him that. It wasn't the most riveting of sessions.

Image source, Lewis Hamilton

Image source, AP

Here's a quick reminder of what happened in the first session. Nico Rosberg was top of the pile, followed by Daniil Kyvat, Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg has to beat Hamilton on Sunday to stay in the title race. The German was on pole in this GP last year - but surrendered first place to his team-mate.

Daniel Ricciardo is a talented gentleman. Not only is he currently getting ready for FP2, he's also on BBC One featuring in A Question of Sport.

If you fancy giving it a watch, head over to BBC One right now. (But also stay here).

Those thunderstorms are so close, Circuit of the Americas are warning people to take cover. I'm looking at pictures of the track - it's end-of-the-world rain. Ark-building conditions. So just like living in Manchester, really.

There wasn't much to get excited about in that first session. Will FP2 be any better? A lot will depend on the weather - there are storms lingering in the Austin area. In fact, in the last 20 minutes or so, the heavens have absolutely opened over the Circuit of the Americas.

Jenson Button has the proof...

Image source, Getty Images

That's it for FP1 then. Why don't we all go dry off? Have a hot bath, maybe? I might.

We'll be back here at 19:30 BST to bring you the second practice session - there's a concern the rain will make a return too.

Until then, read Andrew Benson's report on the day's action so far. See you on the flip side (as they may say in the USA).

Plenty of chat from you lovely people regarding your favourite wet-weather GPs. Keep it coming by using #bbcf1 on Twitter.