Rosberg dominates first day of practice

AUSTIN, Texas: Formula One championship leader Nico Rosberg and Mercedes teammate and title rival Lewis Hamilton limbered up for their US Grand Prix duel with each setting the pace in practice sessions on Friday.

German Rosberg, chasing his 10th win of the season and 33 points clear of the triple world champion, ended the day with the fastest time after lapping the Circuit of the Americas in one minute 37.358 seconds.

Hamilton, winner in three of the last four races at the Texan track including 2015 when he took his third title, was quickest in the morning in 1:37.428 with Rosberg second, 0.315 slower.

The Briton dropped to third in the afternoon, 0.291 behind Rosberg, with Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo splitting the dominant pair.

Rosberg and Hamilton are the only drivers still in contention for the title with four races remaining while Mercedes have already clinched the constructors’ crown for the third year in a row.

Hamilton needs another victory on Monday but knows that even winning all the remaining races will not be enough if Rosberg finishes them in the runner-up position, and the German has said he is not about to settle for second best.