Norris Leads Vegas Practice as Leclerc Faces Gearbox Issues
Lando Norris topped the second practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a 1:33.602, showcasing McLaren's strong pace. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc's session was cut short due to a critical gearbox issue, adding to Ferrari's concerns. The session also saw two red flags, one for a loose manhole cover and another for Leclerc's car trouble, highlighting the challenges of the new street circuit.
Lando Norris topped the second practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a 1:33.602, showcasing McLaren's pace while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffered a significant gearbox issue that cut his session short. The session was also briefly red-flagged due to a loose manhole cover.
Why it matters:
McLaren's strong showing, particularly from Norris, signals their potential to be competitive in Las Vegas, a crucial boost as the season nears its end. Conversely, Leclerc's mechanical failure is a worrying sign for Ferrari, especially on a new street circuit where every minute of track time is invaluable for setup and understanding tire performance.
The Details:
- Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris set the fastest lap of 1:33.602, outpacing Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc, marking a strong recovery after a challenging FP1.
- Early Pace Setters: George Russell initially led with a 1:36.145, quickly surpassed by Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton was the first to dip into the 1:35s, with Norris eventually taking the lead in the 1:34s.
- Track Conditions: The session started with a brief rain shower, delaying on-track action. Drivers faced slippery conditions, leading to several lock-ups and wide runs, including incidents involving Oliver Bearman, Norris, and Isack Hadjar.
- Red Flag Incidents: The session was red-flagged twice:
- The first stoppage occurred with over 20 minutes remaining due to a loose manhole cover at Turn 17, a safety concern that required track inspection and securing.
- The second red flag came with barely three minutes left when Charles Leclerc was forced to park his Ferrari due to a gearbox issue, effectively ending his session prematurely.
- Leclerc's Struggles: After locking up into Turn 9 on fresh soft tires, Leclerc's session ended early with a critical gearbox problem, severely limiting his data collection and setup work for the demanding new circuit.
What's next:
Ferrari will be scrambling to diagnose and fix Leclerc's gearbox issue ahead of the next sessions, which is critical for their performance prospects this weekend. Meanwhile, McLaren and Norris will look to maintain their momentum, aiming to translate their practice pace into strong qualifying and race results. The unique challenges of the Las Vegas street circuit, including potential further track integrity issues, will continue to test all teams and drivers.