Austin FP3: Verstappen leads Red Bull charge

A day after he received a bollocking from his rivals, Max Verstappen has answered his critics in the best way possible by claiming top spot on the timing screens at the end of FP3, on day two of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

The precocious teenager was the only driver to dip into the 96 seconds zone with a best lap time of 1:36.766, a quarter of second quicker than his Red Bull teammate who ended the session in second. The energy drinks outfit clearly capable and willing to take the fight to Mercedes in Texas.

Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest for Ferrari, while his teammate Sebastian Vettel had to settle for the sixth best time with his effort in the one hour morning session.

The meat in the Ferrari sandwich were the two Mercedes drivers with Lewis Hamilton fourth and Nico Rosberg fifth. The title contenders aborted their final hot laps as Rosberg tripped up in the final sector and dipped into the pits, while Hamilton was hampered by traffic and he too opted not to complete his final lap.

Report in progress...