Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg experienced differing fortunes in qualifying

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg experienced differing fortunes in qualifying for the U.S. Grand Prix after Mercedes reverted to an older version of the latter's car.

Schumacher escaped punishment in Q2 after it was decided that he had not impeded Fernando Alonso in the fast sequence of bends between Turns 3 and 6 at the Circuit of The Americas. The stewards found in Schumacher's favour because both drivers were starting multi-lap stints to get their tyres up to temperature, with Alonso therefore not trying to set a representative time. Explaining how difficult it is to get Pirelli's hard and medium rubber to perform on the new track surface this weekend, Schumacher said: "The tyres are very crucial, we know this all year long. They're here maybe a little bit more peaky in their behaviour because of the track condition and the circumstances. Schumacher ran five laps in Q3 before setting a time. Of that session, he added: "I tried already the lap before that and it wasn't yet ready. But then the lap, just everything was switched on and was there." Rosberg, meanwhile, was left to search for positives. "We're much further back than expected. It's very, very surprising to lose that much performance. Especially with these tyres: you go a bit slower, you have a bit less grip and it just tips you over the edge. You're nowhere," he added. "The positive is that we learned something and also you look at the difference between what I did and what Michael did and that proves we're doing well in development and we are moving forward. "One of the reasons we did it is that we hope that the race will be better. Maybe tomorrow in the race I can be very strong. We'll have to see."