Las Vegas F1 Practice Halted Again by Manhole Cover Chaos
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix practice sessions were marred by repeated manhole cover issues, reminiscent of last year's incident. While Lando Norris topped the second session, two red flags severely limited running, leaving teams, including a frustrated Red Bull, with insufficient data for setup ahead of qualifying. This recurring problem raises concerns about track safety and operational readiness for the high-profile event.
Formula 1 is experiencing yet another chaotic moment in Las Vegas, even before Saturday night's showdown. Lando Norris set the fastest time in his McLaren, but the relevance is low due to two red flags that interrupted the second free practice session, making a true performance comparison impossible.
Why it matters:
Formula 1's return to Las Vegas was meant to rectify the issues from 2023, particularly the infamous manhole cover incident that damaged Carlos Sainz's Ferrari. The recurrence of this problem, even if minor this time, casts a shadow over the event's safety and logistical preparedness, impacting crucial practice time for teams ahead of qualifying and the race.
The details:
- Lando Norris set the fastest time of 1:33.602 minutes on soft tires before the session was red-flagged. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) followed closely.
- Nico Hülkenberg impressed by placing his Sauber in a strong fourth position, while championship contender Oscar Piastri struggled, finishing 14th.
- Red Bull's Frustration: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed frustration after Max Verstappen finished ninth, stating, "We couldn't even try the soft tire. If the third practice is dry, that can be repaired. But which tire is better – Medium or Hard – remains a mystery."
- Repeated Interruptions: The first red flag occurred approximately 21 minutes before the end of the session due to a suspected loose manhole cover at Turn 17. Although initial TV footage was inconclusive, the FIA later confirmed that the cover had indeed moved slightly upon cars passing over it.
- Safety Precaution: The session was not restarted after the second red flag, with the FIA prioritizing safety following the confirmed movement of the manhole cover.
- Historical Context: This incident echoes the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where a loose manhole cover severely damaged Carlos Sainz's car, marring the inaugural event on the Strip Circuit. This repeated issue highlights the track's sensitivity to stress.
What's next:
Teams will now have only the third free practice session on Saturday morning (1:30 AM CET) to finalize their setups before heading straight into qualifying. The race, the third-to-last of the season, will follow on Sunday. In the championship standings, Norris leads Piastri by 24 points, with Verstappen 49 points behind.
Results:
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 - Free Practice 2 Results
- Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:33.602 min
- Kimi Antonelli (I), Mercedes, 1:33.631
- Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:33.763
- Nico Hülkenberg (D), Sauber, 1:33.879
- Isack Hadjar (F), Racing Bulls, 1:33.893
- Liam Lawson (NZ), Racing Bulls, 1:33.901
- George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:34.037
- Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:34.067
- Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:34.105
- Lewis Hamilton (GB), Ferrari, 1:34.127
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 - Free Practice 1 Results
- Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:34.802 min
- Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:34.968
- Yuki Tsunoda (J), Red Bull Racing, 1:35.071
- Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:35.109
- Carlos Sainz (E), Williams, 1:35.179