Lewis Hamilton signalled his intent to win his sixth drivers' title in style when he comfortably topped the times in second practice at the United States Grand Prix -- but it was not enough to impress Max Verstappen.
Hamilton, of Mercedes, who needs only to finish in the top eight on Sunday to retain his crown, wound up three-tenths of a second clear of nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari while Verstappen was third fastest after topping the times in the morning in his Red Bull.
"Lewis had a tow on the back straight so it's not really (as big an advantage) -- the lap time," said the Dutchman, who has been bickering with the defending five-time champion since last weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, where he finished sixth after being stripped of pole position.
"I think it's smaller. But overall, for me, it's been a positive day. I think that the pace of the car in the short run is not bad."