FIA Details Extensive Repairs to Las Vegas Circuit Manhole Covers
The FIA confirmed significant overnight repairs were performed on the Las Vegas Street Circuit after a loose manhole cover caused a red flag during FP2. A specific fault was found with one cover, which was then welded shut. Subsequent inspections revealed 14 additional faulty manhole covers across the circuit, all of which also received welding, underscoring the substantial work required to ensure track safety for the remainder of the race weekend.
The FIA has disclosed that substantial overnight efforts were required to fix numerous faulty manhole covers at the Las Vegas Street Circuit. This comes after an incident in the second practice session where a loose manhole cover near Turn 17 led to a prolonged red flag, disrupting the session.
Why it matters:
The integrity of the track surface is paramount for driver safety in Formula 1. The discovery and subsequent repair of multiple faulty manhole covers highlight significant infrastructure challenges for new street circuits. Ensuring track safety is critical for the sport's reputation, especially for a high-profile event like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and preventing potential high-speed accidents that could jeopardize drivers.
The details:
- Initial Incident: During FP2, a track marshal spotted a loose manhole cover on the approach to Turn 17, prompting the initial red flag after 38 minutes.
- Session Stoppage: After an 18-minute delay, the session resumed but was quickly halted again when race control personnel observed the same cover still moving as cars passed over it.
- Immediate Fix: The problematic manhole cover was disassembled, inspected, and a specific fault in its closure mechanism was identified and addressed. To provide further mitigation, this cover was then welded shut.
- Widespread Inspection: A comprehensive inspection of all other manhole covers around the circuit followed. Remarkably, an additional 14 manhole assemblies were found to be faulty, either on or close to the racing line.
- Extensive Repairs: Overnight, these 14 additional faulty manhole covers also received extra welding to secure them, ensuring no further issues for the remainder of the race weekend.
What's next:
While the immediate issue of manhole cover integrity has been addressed through extensive overnight repairs, the incident raises questions about the construction and pre-race inspection processes for new street circuits. Going forward, the FIA and local organizers will likely face heightened scrutiny regarding track safety protocols, particularly for temporary circuits. This experience will serve as a critical learning point for future Grand Prix events held on converted public roads, emphasizing the need for robust and fail-safe infrastructure from the outset.