F1 LIVE | The third free practice for the 2021 US GP

The United States Grand Prix weekend started on Friday. The two free practice sessions were held and as usual, FP3 is scheduled for today in preparation for qualifying. Follow all the action in GPblog's liveblog!

During FP1 Mercedes was still the fastest team on track with Valtteri Bottas on P1, while Max Verstappen was almost a full second behind him in third place. However, they didn't keep this up in the second practice. Red Bull Racing managed to turn it around and the team finished on top with Sergio Perez. Lewis Hamilton finished second and third during the practice sessions.

Lando Norris grabbed a surprising second spot in FP2. Verstappen didn't get further than P8, as the Dutchman focused mainly on his long runs. Aston Martin is also looking good with Lance Stroll and Ferrari will have to hope that they can find extra speed to beat McLaren.

Bottas faces another penalty on Sunday after Mercedes changed his combustion engine. The Finn gets five-place grid penalty and will therefore do everything he can to be the fastest man on track today to limit the damage.

The United States Grand Prix restarted in the 2012 season after a five-year layoff. The fixture has been on the calendar every season since then, apart from the 2020 edition which was cancelled as a result of COVID-19. When the event returned in 2012, the venue changed. F1 used to visit Indianapolis where the famous Indy500 takes place every year. But in 2012, a deal was struck with the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Lewis Hamilton has won the United States Grand Prix six times. His first win came in his debut season for McLaren in 2007. Aryton Senna and are both tied on five wins each. All of Schumacher's wins came at Indianapolis, whereas all of Senna's wins came at previous venues in Phoenix and Detriot. Most of the United States Grands Prix were held at Watkins Glen International Circuit (15 occasions) but the last F1 race took place there in 1975 when took home the winners trophy.

Just four drivers on the current grid have won races in America. Hamilton is joined by , and Valtteri Bottas. In terms of the constructors, Lotus have won the most times with 10 victories. Ferrari sit second on eight wins.