Charles Leclerc has that 10-place grid penalty waiting to be slapped on his Ferrari for tomorrow's race but for now, at least, the Monegasque leads the field now with a 1:35.795. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen complains over team radio a Haas is hogging the racing line.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's really tricky conditions out there, the track is bumpy, it's particularly bumpy in the high speed. There's also a big wind, a tailwind through the high speed, and it means the cars are very loose, so they are overheating their tyres a lot and it means by the end of the lap when track limits are in place, everyone is just sliding round and is on the absolute edge of rear grip and some small mistake can force you wide over track limits.

The two Red Bulls have entered the track and instantly push the likes of Mick Schumacher and Zhou Guanyu down the order. Max Verstappen is quickest with a 1:35.864, while Sergio Perez slots into second.

Everything's bigger in Texas.

It's a mega uphill run to the (very) wide first corner and then it's thrills and spills ahoy thanks to some decent overtaking spots.

The final corner at COTA has also been renamed in honour of American racing icon and 1978 F1 world champion, Mario Andretti.

The lap record around these parts is a 1:36.169 clocked by Charles Leclerc for Ferrari in 2019.

Image source, BBC Sport

Soft tyres across the board for the opening laps on the time sheets. Mick Schumacher has recovered from his earlier troubles in third practice and posts the quickest marker so far with a 1:37.816. Zhou Guanyu slots in just behind, just a fraction off the pace of the Haas driver.

First cars have been unleashed from the garages to the delight of the Texas crowd. Zhou Guanyu, who is wearing a fantastic denim design helmet, is the going for a lap in the Alfa Romeo.

Q1 is under way.

Pirelli have chosen the compounds in the middle of the range for the United States Grand Prix. We'll also see the same tyres at next weekend's Mexican Grand Prix. Teams can take their pick from the C2 (white, hard), C3 (yellow, medium) and C4 (red, soft).

BBC weather forecaster Ian Fergusson can provide the details of what drivers can expect for today's qualifying session: "Air temp 30.3C and the track 37.7C. A brisk southerly wind remains a feature (as it will tomorrow for the race); gusts in past hour peaking towards 30mph. FIA official risk of rain is 0% for this session."

Horner added some words on Mateschitz following Red Bull's recent success on the track: "Well thankfully he got to see that (Max Verstappen's two world championships) and he was incredibly proud of the team, incredibly proud of everything that we've done and have been achieving. He's been a passionate supporter and the back bone of everything we do, so it's important that we celebrate and recognise the contribution he's made. Quite a remarkable man and an inspirational individual and one we owe a huge amount."

Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has released a statement following the death of Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz.

Image source, Formula 1 Twitter

Christian Horner said to Sky Sports following the death of co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz: “Look it’s very very sad, what a great man, he’s few of a kind, what he achieved, what he’s done for so many people around the world, across different sports is second to none.

“So many of us have to be so grateful to him for the opportunities that he’s provided, the vision that he had, the strength of character and never being afraid to follow and chase your dreams. That’s what he did here in Formula 1, proving that you can make a difference and we’re just incredibly grateful for him, everything he’s done and supported us with over the years.

“So many drivers, so many team members, so many people in this pitlane know him so much, so as he would of wanted, we now head into this qualifying exactly how he would have wanted it to be, he was passionate about Formula 1 and passionate about the team. Our determination is to go and do our best for him today and obviously win the race tomorrow.”

Image source, Getty Images

Last year's fight for the front at COTA was a tight affair as Max Verstappen snatched pole position from then title rival Lewis Hamilton with his final lap in qualifying.

The Mercedes driver had eclipsed Verstappen's earlier pace-setting time and looked set for another pole appearance before the Dutchman leapfrogged back in front.

Verstappen beat Hamilton by 0.209 seconds after a gripping session, while Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez took third.

Very sad news for Red Bull on a weekend that could see them achieve the big constructors' prize.

A reminder that Red Bull can win their first team trophy since 2013 off the back of Max Verstappen's triumph in Japan, if either the Dutchman or Sergio Perez to win the race in Austin.

They can also clinch it with a P3 and P4 finish, or if they avoid being outscored by rivals Ferrari by 19 points.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin

Image source, Getty Images

Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz, a major global business figure as a result of his energy drinks empire, has died aged 78.

Mateschitz was the driving force behind the establishment of what became the global market leader in energy drinks.

He used the fortune created by that to set up a Formula 1 team that has become one of the leading forces in the sport.

His death is not thought to threaten the future of Red Bull or its sister team Alpha Tauri.

Away from the cost cap story, Red Bull has announced some sad news in the last few moments...

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Austin

Image source, Getty Images

McLaren F1 boss Zak Brown has written a letter to governing body the FIA in which he says Red Bull breaking the budget cap "constitutes cheating".

Brown calls for penalties that will hit Red Bull financially and on the track.

"Any team who have overspent have gained an unfair advantage both in the current and following year's car development," he writes.

Brown adds the FIA should "communicate subsequent action and penalties at pace to maintain the integrity of F1".

The letter, which has been seen by BBC Sport, is dated 12 October and is addressed to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and copied to F1 president Stefano Domenicali.

Read the full story here