Mercedes's Nico Rosberg has set the fastest time in the second practice for this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix in changeable conditions.

Rosberg posted the quickest lap time just before the rain arrived, although Red Bull's Daniil Kvyat got close with a fast lap in the stop-start session, while teammate Daniel Ricciardo also showed good pace.

Rosberg's teammate, Lewis Hamilton, was unable to get a fast lap in before the rain started to fall, spinning early on before being affected by the weather conditions towards the end of the session, leaving him to settle for fourth.

The session had barely begun when marshals had to red-flag the proceeding when Max Verstappen, who was fastest in the morning session, spun his Toro Rosso, striking the barrier.

The 18-year-old was not the only one with problems early on as Valtteri Bottas had to return to the pits when he ran wide at the first corner, damaging his front wing, while Romain Grosjean crashed out when the track became wet midway through the 90-minute period.

Sergio Perez, who is the only Mexican on the grid as this race returns from a 23-yard absence, could only post the 15th-fastest time.

1. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
2. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull)
3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull)
4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
5. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
6. Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari)
7. Valtteri Bottas (Williams)
8. Fernando Alonso (McLaren)
9. Jenson Button (McLaren)
10. Felipe Massa (Williams)
11. Nico Hulkenburg (Force India)
12. Pastor Maldonado (Lotus)
13. Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso)
14. Felipe Nasr (Sauber)
15. Sergio Perez (Force India)
16. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
17. Marcus Eriksen (Sauber)
18. Alexander Rossi (Manor)
19. Will Stevens (Manor)
20. Max Versteppen (Toro Rosso)