2014 United States Grand Prix Saturday in Tweets

The possibility of a race boycott by Force India, Lotus and Sauber provided the main talking point of Saturday in Austin.

Following a series of meetings, by the end of the day Bernie Ecclestone believed the threat of a boycott had been averted, but suggested he was unsure how to solve F1’s financial crisis.

Meanwhile qualifying served up the best results of the season so far for Adrian Sutil and Pastor Maldonado.

Here’s how Saturday at the United States Grand Prix happened on Twitter.

Third practice

Astonishing rate of development here in Austin. Teams' boycott threat continues to gather pace. Meetings planned throughout the day

— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) November 1, 2014

Sunrise over the pit lane…bit chilly this morning #AustinGP pic.twitter.com/suMSkdGqvQ

— Vicko (@Milly_Puff) November 1, 2014

Kvyat complains about his elbow again: "Can you continue running like that?" "Yeah I can but it's annoying." "OK we will fix it." #F1 #USGP

— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) November 1, 2014

Here @circuitamericas for FP3 of the #USGP pic.twitter.com/65R7iMmqe3

— Adam Haley (@adamhaley502) November 1, 2014

Rosberg says his braking problem "feels like a puncture". He suggests they stop to look at the problem more closely. #F1 #USGP

— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) November 1, 2014

Hamilton went fastest in the first sector then spun at turn 12, looked much like his FP3 spin at Sochi. #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/C9t64p4qEr

— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) November 1, 2014

Seven-time #F1 Grand Prix winner and former @WilliamsRacing driver Juan Pablo Montoya watches the #FP3 action #USGP pic.twitter.com/cnLvvDs5Sc

— Formula1.com (@F1) November 1, 2014

Speaking to @MBrundleF1, Force India's deputy team principal Bob Fernley refuses to rule out boycotting the #USGP. pic.twitter.com/5wV095p3zD

— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 1, 2014

#ForzaJules

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) November 1, 2014

Met some cool fans during my suite visit for @circuitamericas, now heading to the #LegendsClub for a quick meet&greet pic.twitter.com/3gCOZT7MbG

— Alexander Rossi (@AlexanderRossi) November 1, 2014

Qualifying

Time for qualifying, fair to say thoughts more on the potential for a boycott. Three rebels meeting later today – still on the table.

— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) November 1, 2014

When Red Bull told Vettel he was having a complete power unit change, he must have hoped they meant to a Mercedes. #F1

— F1 Fanatic (@f1fanatic_co_uk) November 1, 2014

Qualifying performance was irrelevant for Sebastian Vettel as he was on for a pit lane start anyway. Still, there was an unusual sight at the bottom of the times table at the end of Q1.

Vettel and Grosjean were 1-2 here last year. Currently the bottom two in qualifying. #USGP

— wtf1.co.uk (@wtf1couk) November 1, 2014

Hamilton: "It's getting a bit ridiculous but the thing keeps locking. I try to take it easy and it just locks." #F1 #USGP

— F1 Fanatic Live (@f1fanaticlive) November 1, 2014

Sauber made the final part of qualifying for the first time this season as Adrian Sutil took ninth on the grid.

P10 for Adrian and first time in Q3 this year! #AS99 #F1 #USGP #pushpush

— Sauber F1 Team (@SauberF1Team) November 1, 2014

As @MBrundleF1 says, SUT getting into Q3 kinda knocks thought of Sauber boycotting race on the head… #F1

— Maurice Hamilton (@MauriceHamilton) November 1, 2014

Plenty of famous faces here, including Keanu Reeves, Matt LeBlanc, Pamela Anderson and NBA star Tony Parker #USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/FD68GDiz5L

— Formula1.com (@F1) November 1, 2014

Pastor Maldonado was another driver with their best qualifying result of the season, as he joins Sutil on row five of the grid.

Very much well done @Pastormaldo, we had potential for Q3, best qualy of the year, well done again….

— Julien SC (@julien_sc) November 1, 2014

https://twitter.com/_markgallagher/status/528635905696104448

"I've got time in my pocket" was an eye-catching line from Rosberg yesterday. And he delivered on that promise. #F1

— Glenn Freeman (@glenn_autosport) November 1, 2014

Still in our thoughts and prayers in #Austin, Jules! Keep fighting! #ForzaJules #JB17 #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/jt2L5E8EO5

— Nathan Corbani (@AussieF1Fanatic) November 1, 2014

If @InsideFerrari change @alo_oficial's gearbox, both their drivers will start from the clean side of the grid… http://t.co/zsx8N54C3c #F1

— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) November 1, 2014

Pits and paddock

Acabada la crono, ahora a pensar en la carrera..! Qualy is finish, now time to prepare the race! #happy pic.twitter.com/h0cWVtV4He

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) November 1, 2014

He's tiny, he's talented, he's Whiplash the Cowboy Monkey. Catch him in 15 minutes in the Grand Plaza. #COTA #USGP pic.twitter.com/QLjhpTDo64

— Circuit of The Americas (@COTA) November 1, 2014

Good quali from us – Starting 3rd for the race tomorrow. Looking forward! #Austin #USGP #F1… http://t.co/wCKGdXmuBG

— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) November 1, 2014

Rob Smedley: We came into this weekend expecting to have the 2nd fastest car & we have met our expectations by finishing 3rd & 4th

— WILLIAMS RACING (@WilliamsRacing) November 1, 2014

Here's DFF highlighted for those not used to these technical terms. pic.twitter.com/vdBOskagvU

— Craig Scarborough (@ScarbsF1) November 1, 2014

Is this cameraman asleep, praying, working, hungover – or all of the above?! #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/GCQNJjKCRX

— F1 Paddock Pass (Back for 2024) (@F1PaddockPass) November 1, 2014

Just saw Marussia's Graeme Lowdon heading into Ferrari for a meeting with Marco Mattiacci, presumably to talk about engine bills etc

— Adam Cooper (@adamcooperF1) November 1, 2014

Three drivers asked about potential boycott. "No comment" the answer from all three. Pretty appalling really.

— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) November 1, 2014

For an absence of doubt, we will be racing on Sunday. That's kinda why we're here. (We have have tweeted this statement once already)

— Lotus F1 Team (@Lotus_F1Team) November 1, 2014

Crisis averted? Big promises from Mr E to help stop the boycott threat at the US GP.

— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) November 1, 2014

Despite Bob Fernley's remarks, we understand that there will be no race boycott. It appears to be sabre-rattling for whatever reason

— Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) November 1, 2014

Sauber, Force India go into another mtg w Bernie (behind door), should hear abt solutions/help Sunday. They'll race. pic.twitter.com/BV2vFIYn76

— Ted Kravitz (@tedkravitz) November 1, 2014

Whole boycott plan unravelling. All three teams saying it was other's idea.

— Daniel Johnson (@danielt_johnson) November 1, 2014

Bernie on current F1 cash crisis: “Frankly, I know what’s wrong but don’t know how to fix it.

— Byron Young (@byronf1) November 1, 2014

Bernie claims he is hamstrung by regulations and contracts with the teams. If he had his way he would rip up all contracts and start again

— Ian Parkes (@ianparkesf1) November 1, 2014

Mr E clear on U.S. GP boycott threat, though: "Forget all that crap. I promise you they will be racing. I give you an absolute guarantee."

— Alan Baldwin (@alanbaldwinf1) November 1, 2014

@F1Photographer Not a given yet….Bernie says sport is in a mess and cannot fix it….#StickToPhotos

— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) November 1, 2014

Historic day already as far as I am concerned. Bernie has offered to give up some of his F1 revenue if the leading teams will do the same

— Byron Young (@byronf1) November 1, 2014

Renault, Horner, Lauda, Wolff, Mattiachi, Honda and a couple of unidentifiables. Engine 2015 meeting behind close… pic.twitter.com/0RpwVJEY7Y

— F1 Paddock Pass (Back for 2024) (@F1PaddockPass) November 1, 2014

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