Las Vegas GP Drain Cover Issue Returns During Second Practice

The Las Vegas Grand Prix experienced a renewed drain cover problem after a cover came loose during the second practice session.

Lando Norris set the fastest time in a session that featured two red flags in the final twenty minutes caused by movement in a drain cover at Turn 17. The circuit faced a similar issue during first practice in its debut year two years earlier when a detached drain cover caused severe damage to the Ferrari driven by Carlos Sainz.

Historical Context and Delays

That earlier incident forced second practice to begin at four in the morning while repairs were completed.

This year a marshal reported a suspected loose drain cover that was then inspected by the FIA race control team.
After a fifteen minute delay the session resumed with six minutes remaining.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc moved behind the barrier at Turn 5 due to a gearbox problem. He was instructed not to use his gear shift and stopped the car which ended his running.

Other drivers continued without mechanical difficulty although the session was red flagged again when the drain cover problem persisted.

The FIA stated that race control personnel on site observed movement in the manhole cover as cars passed over it which led officials to end the session under red flag conditions. Further inspections continued after the stoppage.

The final interruption ensured that Norris retained the fastest lap ahead of Kimi Antonelli and the earlier medium tyre time set by Leclerc. The session had already begun five minutes late due to light rainfall in the city.

Norris Assesses Performance

After the session Norris explained that the car produced a better feeling than in the previous year. He noted improved balance on the first lap and encouraging performance despite limited running and no meaningful high fuel work. He added that the field remained closely matched and that several drivers were unable to complete representative laps.

Norris leads the world championship by twenty four points over team mate Oscar Piastri. Piastri and fellow title contender Max Verstappen did not set times on the soft tyres because the session was repeatedly suspended.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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