Hamilton fastest, Verstappen 2nd, Vettel 3rd
Vettel spins, complaining of handling problems
Hamilton can win the world title on Sunday
Final practice at 17:00 BST on Saturday; qualifying at 22:00
We have our first look at Sebastian Vettel today, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen is now the fastest man of the opening 28 minutes with a time of 1:47.922. Lewis Hamilton is third fastest, with McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne jumping up to second quickest.
Your first Grand Prix memories / memorable F1 debuts
Mardenski: Went to the 1985 European GP at Brands Hatch with friends. No tickets so sat in scaffolding of grandstand on start/finish straight.
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Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin
Fernando Alonso’s new McLaren contract was finally agreed in the days leading up to this race, and announced on Thursday. Was he ever serious about going elsewhere? “I don’t know how serious I was,” he said. "I look at other options. Let’s say after Indianapolis when I came back to F1 I had the doubts if I should continue in F1 or look in different series.
"In the August break I had a few conversations with different teams just to know their projects, their situations, some of them are winning teams this year. So there were some conversations there. But something inside always told me to stay at McLaren. I think this year we have proved the chassis was capable of fighting at the front.” He might be 36 but that ambition to win a third world title still burns.
“That’s why I stay,” he said. “If not, I was thinking what was the best option for me for next year because I don’t like too much being out of Q3, I don’t like too much being out of the podium. So I said if that’ll be the case next year maybe it is better to look outside F1 and to experience again the podium celebrations and those victory tastes. but we make a lot of progress this year.
"I have been in the factory a lot. I know what is in plan for next year. I know what Renault is preparing for next year (on the engine), so if I am here it is because I believe I can be in those podium celebrations and in those moments.”
Image source, AFPEsteban Ocon becomes the third man in a few minutes to go spinning. He and his Force India are both OK, with no harm done.
Max Verstappen said it was "slippy" and team-mate Daniel Ricciardo has just experienced that first hand with a big spin towards the end of his lap.
"Everything OK with the car?" Ricciardo is asked. "Yep" is his very simple answer.
Sean Gelael, who is in the Toro Rosso car with Daniil Kvyat sitting this session out, has also found the conditions tricky as he spins and ends up on the grass.
"Do not go on the red paint" he is told, rather unhelpfully after doing just that.
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Verstappen was not the only one to have an 'out of this world' experience this week with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton having a look around the NASA Mission Control Center.
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It has certainly been a fun week for Verstappen.
A few days ago he got to sample life as an astronaut at the NASA centre. Among the activities, Max took part in was an exercise that mimicked what it would be like floating in space, as you can see below.
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Admit it, you want to have a go don't you? Well, unless you've just eaten of course.
Max Verstappen is out on the track at the moment and says that the "track is a bit slippy", but is happy enough to stay out for just a bit longer.
Lewis Hamilton the fastest so far with a lap of 1:50.146, just 0.168 faster than Verstappen. Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo are the only others to record a time so far.
Your first Formula 1 memories / memorable F1 debuts
And Brendon Hartley's debut is the inspiration for our first discussion point.
We want you to tell us your memories of your first Grand Prix. Ever been to a Grand Prix yourself? What did you make of it and do you have any pictures you can send us.
Also, which Formula 1 debuts have been the most memorable?
Tweet using the hashtag #bbcf1 and we will post the best messages in this page throughout the afternoon.
Image source, Getty ImagesAndrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin
If the excitement has gone out of the title battle somewhat, there is still plenty of intrigue to keep the interest this season. F1 never stands still and this weekend there are driver changes that are fascinating to watch.
First of all, New Zealander Brendon Hartley finally gets a belated F1 debut, more than seven years after being dropped from Red Bull’s junior driver programme. The 27-year-old has carved a successful career in world endurance racing and admits he “wasn’t ready” when he was a hot up-and-coming prospect. “I guess I just didn’t deal with the pressure. I stopped enjoying it, I wasn’t happy; I was pretty young and away from home.
"When the F1 dream, so to speak, stopped in 2010, I picked myself up, found endurance racing and have learned a lot from that experience. I wasn’t ready at 18 years old. I like to think I am ready now. I’m not very prepared for this weekend. I haven’t driven the car. I haven’t driven a single-seater since 2012, but I like to think the Porsche LMP1 has prepared me well.” The bad news is that he looks set for a major grid penalty because of engine changes.
Image source, Getty ImagesOne of those on the track at the moment is the newcomer Brendon Hartley, who comes in the Toro Rosso team for this weekend to replace Pierre Gasly, who has competed in the last two races.
Gasly is over in Japan for the Super Formula finale, where he has a chance of the title.
New Zealander Hartley, 27, is a former Red Bull junior and will be racing for the first time in F1 this weekend.
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Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin
It’s grey and drizzly like an English summer’s day in Texas this morning and the teams’ weather forecasts say it is likely to stay stay that way for this first session.
But fear not, there is likely to be some running because at this stage there is no guarantee the race will be dry. So although teams are limited on intermediate (and wet) tyres, they will want to gather some data in case the race is run in this type of conditions.
And the first drivers take to the track, in miserable conditions in Austin.
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Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin
Last time out in Japan, Lewis Hamilton talked about having found another level in qualifying since the summer break - after an up-and-down first half of the season. The question is why?
Here’s his take on it: “It’s really just been that confidence of understanding the car a lot better this year, particularly in the second half of the season; knowing it’s strengths and weaknesses. Then, I would say that we are constantly evolving the process in which we work together, myself and my engineers.
"So we’d often hit the ground running with a balance I’m more comfortable with, which then naturally helps you easily step forward throughout the weekend in the right direction. And otherwise, just on my driving side, I don’t know, I think there are a lot of positive things happening in my life.
"There are a lot of interesting things forecast over these next 18 months, so I guess that’s an exciting and uplifting thing. So I’m arriving at these races, generally, with an abundance of positivity; it helps keeps your mind in the right place. Obviously, Toto and the team, Mercedes, have been incredibly supportive of all the different things that I’m into and the things I do and the way I move, which enable me to be in that position, and which are much appreciated.”
Image source, Getty ImagesAndrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin
Sebastian Vettel has watched his title aspirations pretty much evaporate over the three races in Asia, but he is far from giving up on his season despite needing to make up 59 points on Lewis Hamilton with only 100 still available.
“In English they say it is not over til the fat lady sings,” he said on Thursday. “We need to make sure she shuts up for quite a while. But I am not looking that far ahead. I never have. I am not looking behind.
"I am focusing on what’s coming right now and I think for here, I don’t know yet what to expect. The track is a bit of a mixed bag. We’ve got everything in there. Conditions can make a big difference but the progress we have done the last couple of weeks, the speed is there, so fairly optimistic.”
Image source, AFPRight, back to how things stand in the title race.
Image source, .Speaking of Red Bull...
High jinks already in the Red Bull garage as the Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo - from the University of Texas - has paid a visit in the build-up to today's practice sessions.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesVerstappen signs a new contract with Red Bull
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: "We are delighted that Max has agreed to extend his contract with Red Bull Racing. We had a phenomenal start together in Spain last year and Max has only pushed on from there.
"It was a great moment for the whole team to see him put the frustrations of this season behind him in taking that fantastic victory in Malaysia last month.
"He is pure racer, with an undeniable talent at the wheel and a rare instinct for what it takes to compete consistently at this level. Coupled with a committed work ethic and a mature approach to learning his craft that belies his years, Max is right to be hungry for success and we are looking forward to extending that journey with him in our hunt for Formula One World Championships.
"As we now look to the long term with Max he is in the best place in the sport to build a team around him to deliver our shared ambition."
Image source, AFPAnd let's hear from the man himself.
Max Verstappen, who has just agreed to extend his Red Bull contract, says: "Red Bull has always shown their faith and belief in me with actions; inviting me into the young driver programme as a 16-year-old, then giving me my start in Formula One when I was just 17, and then the opportunity to race with Red Bull Racing where I had such a dream start with this team.
"They have always backed me and my ambition and I know we share that ambition. Their support, from the guys and girls in the factory through to the crew in the garage, no matter what plays out on the race track, has always been 100%.
"We've also had some fun times! I'm very happy to commit further to Red Bull Racing and I'm looking forward to working together to enjoy more success in the years to come."
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Some big breaking news for you.
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