Loose Manhole Cover Halts Las Vegas GP FP2

The second practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix was red-flagged with 20 minutes remaining due to concerns over a potentially loose manhole cover near Turn 17. The incident caused an abrupt end to what was shaping up to be a competitive session, leaving many drivers unable to complete their qualifying simulations.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights ongoing infrastructure challenges at the Las Vegas Street Circuit, reminiscent of issues faced during the 2023 Grand Prix. Ensuring track safety is paramount in Formula 1, and repeated problems with track integrity can undermine confidence in the venue, affecting both driver performance and fan experience. Such disruptions, especially during crucial practice sessions, can significantly impact team preparations and the overall competitive balance for the race weekend.

The Details:

• Red Flag Incident: The session was red-flagged as George Russell was completing a flying lap on soft tires, just after Lando Norris had set the fastest time of 1m33.602s.
• Marshal's Report: Race control acted on a marshal's report regarding a possible loose manhole cover near Turn 17, though CCTV footage couldn't immediately confirm it.
• FIA Statement: The FIA released a statement confirming the precautionary red flag and that personnel were on-site to assess the situation.
• Track Inspection: On-site crews, including observations from Sky Sports F1's Jenson Button, quickly inspected the area, noting "lots of flashing lights" as ten people worked.
• Initial All-Clear: Officials swiftly confirmed, "Following inspection, we are confident everything is in a suitable condition to resume the session," a stark contrast to the lengthy delays in 2023.
• Second Red Flag: Despite the quick all-clear, the session was red-flagged again with under three minutes remaining "due to track maintenance," effectively ending FP2 prematurely.
• Root Cause: Motorsport.com understands that race control personnel reported the suspect manhole cover was moving as cars passed over it, prompting ongoing inspections.

The Big Picture:

While the immediate track safety concern was addressed relatively quickly compared to previous years, the recurring nature of infrastructure problems at the Las Vegas Grand Prix is concerning. For a high-speed street circuit traversing public roads, maintaining absolute track integrity is non-negotiable. These incidents, though seemingly minor, can have significant implications for the race weekend's flow and the teams' ability to gather essential data for qualifying and the race.

What's next:

Track officials will continue thorough inspections to ensure all manhole covers and track elements are secure ahead of further practice sessions and qualifying. The priority will be to prevent any recurrence and guarantee a smooth, safe remainder of the Grand Prix weekend. Teams will need to adapt their strategies based on the limited data collected during this disrupted FP2 session, potentially leading to more unpredictable outcomes.