Norris Tops Red-Flagged Vegas FP2 Amidst Track Issues

Lando Norris clocked the fastest time in a heavily interrupted Free Practice 2 session in Las Vegas, a strong rebound for McLaren after a challenging FP1. The session was twice halted, first for a loose manhole cover and then for further track maintenance, limiting meaningful running and setting a chaotic tone for the weekend.

Why it matters:

McLaren's improved performance, particularly from Norris, suggests they've found crucial pace after reverting to their Monza-spec rear wing. However, the recurring track issues raise significant concerns about safety and fairness for the upcoming qualifying and race, potentially disrupting teams' preparation and strategy in this highly anticipated Grand Prix.

The details:

• Session Stoppages: FP2 was red-flagged twice. The first interruption, lasting approximately 15 minutes, was due to a loose manhole cover near Turn 17, a stark reminder of previous F1 track incidents. A second red flag for "track maintenance" ended the session prematurely with two minutes remaining.
• Norris's Pace: Despite the stoppages, Lando Norris's lap of 1m33.602s on soft tires held as the fastest, a significant improvement from McLaren's struggles in FP1.
  • McLaren's decision to switch back to their Monza-spec rear wing appears to have paid dividends for Norris.
• Piastri's Session: Oscar Piastri finished 14th, but his position was more a consequence of the red flags preventing a clean soft-tire run rather than a lack of pace.
• Leclerc's Troubles: FP1 pacesetter Charles Leclerc ended his session early due to a suspected gearbox failure after pulling over at Turn 5. He also had a major lock-up earlier, narrowly avoiding a wall.
• Surprise Performances: Kimi Antonelli impressively took second for Mercedes, while Nico Hulkenberg was fourth for Sauber. The Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson also showed strong pace, finishing fifth and sixth respectively.
• Challenging Conditions: Rain before the session made the circuit slippery, leading to multiple drivers, including Norris and Hadjar, running wide as they battled for grip on the cool Las Vegas track.

What's next:

Teams are now looking ahead to the final practice session, hoping for an uninterrupted hour to finalize their setups and gather critical data for qualifying. The track conditions and potential for further disruptions remain key unknowns, adding an extra layer of challenge to what is already shaping up to be an unpredictable Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Between the lines:

The repeated track issues are a major headache for F1, especially after the costly manhole cover incident in 2023. Ensuring track integrity is paramount for driver safety and maintaining the sport's credibility, particularly at a high-profile event like Las Vegas. The disrupted running means less data for teams, potentially leading to more surprises and strategic gambles in qualifying and the race.