The second practice session for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix was disrupted on Thursday night due to a loose manhole cover near Turn 17. This incident led to a red flag and an early conclusion to the session, limiting the drivers’ track time ahead of the crucial qualifying rounds.
Initial reports indicated that a brief rain shower delayed the start of practice, forcing teams to stay in the pits before cars hit the track about six minutes in. The practice was progressing smoothly until the first red flag was waved when concerns arose regarding the loose manhole cover. Although Race Control couldn’t immediately verify the issue from CCTV footage, the safety precaution mandated a halt to the session. Fortunately, no cars made contact with the cover during this time, which was a relief for all involved.
The situation worsened when, with just two minutes remaining in the session, another red flag was issued, this time for track maintenance. The FIA confirmed that the manhole cover was indeed moving when cars passed over it, prompting them to end the practice session prematurely.
This second practice was particularly significant, scheduled at the same time as Friday’s upcoming qualifying session. The day kicked off at 4:30 p.m. with the final practice before qualifying commences at 8 p.m. Meanwhile, the F1 Academy series will hold its first race at 6:15 p.m.
In the midst of the session disruptions, McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the time sheets with a lap of 1 minute, 33.602 seconds. Conversely, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had recorded the fastest time in the first practice at 1:34.802 seconds. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who currently holds third place in the standings, is significantly trailing Norris, putting additional pressure on him to perform during the race.
As the championship heats up, Verstappen recognized the uphill battle ahead, noting the substantial gap between himself and Norris. He has displayed resilience, finishing on the podium in each of his last seven races, but understands luck will play a prevalent role going forward.
Despite a rocky start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the atmosphere remains lively, and fans are optimistic as they anticipate the main event on Saturday night at 8 p.m. The energy of the event coupled with the excitement of F1’s return to Las Vegas leaves a positive outlook for a thrilling weekend ahead, showcasing the spirit of motorsport in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.