Renault Sport Formula One Team opened the United States Grand Prix weekend with Kevin Magnussen leading the team's charge by setting the twelfth-fastest time of the day at the Circuit Of The Americas. Jolyon Palmer completed his first-ever laps of the track, ending the day as the seventeenth fastest driver.

A reasonably straightforward day on both sides of the garage. Kevin's morning run was slightly shortened due to a minor electrical issue. Both drivers used Pirelli's medium (white) compound tyres in the morning session. In the afternoon session Kevin used the soft and super soft tyres; Jolyon the medium and super soft.

Kevin Magnussen: "It's great to drive around the Circuit Of The Americas even if we did have a couple of small issues today. I think we've got scope to be further up the order, which means we should be fighting for points come race day. That's what we all want."

Jolyon Palmer: "My first impressions of COTA are what an awesome track! I did have a couple of moments learning the limits here and we've got a bit of work on the set-up, but nothing other than the usual work you do between Friday and Saturday."

Bob Bell, Chief Technical Officer: "A reasonable if a little scrappy day for us. Jolyon's been learning the circuit whilst Kevin's morning was partially affected by an electrical issue, then in the afternoon his soft tyres were flat-spotted so the long-run programme had to be modified. Nevertheless, we have sufficient data to head to qualifying and hopefully take a step forward."

Check out our Friday gallery from Austin, here.