Norris Paces Red Flag-Hit Las Vegas GP Practice

Lando Norris topped a tumultuous second practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was twice halted in its final stages due to concerns over a loose manhole cover at Turn 17. The McLaren driver's early soft-tyre benchmark proved unbeatable as red flags brought meaningful running to an abrupt end.

Why it matters:

• The repeated disruptions due to track integrity issues raise significant safety concerns, impacting the drivers' ability to gather crucial data on a new circuit. Such incidents reflect poorly on the event's preparation and can undermine confidence in track safety for future races.
• Norris's strong performance, despite the chaos, highlights McLaren's potential competitiveness on the unique Las Vegas street circuit, setting an intriguing tone for the remainder of the weekend.
• The gearbox issue suffered by Charles Leclerc adds another layer of drama, potentially impacting Ferrari's weekend preparations and title aspirations if it leads to grid penalties.

The details:

• Norris's Dominance: Lando Norris set an early fastest lap on soft tires, which remained unchallenged after multiple red flags. This indicates McLaren's strong pace even in tricky conditions.
• Track Conditions: Light rain before the session made the 6.2km Strip Circuit slippery, leading to a slow start as drivers cautiously explored grip levels.
• Track Evolution: Grip improved rapidly as rubber was laid down, allowing Oscar Piastri to initially surpass FP1's best time on medium tires, followed by Charles Leclerc reclaiming the lead with a significantly faster lap.
• Red Flag Incidents: The session was first red-flagged with 21 minutes remaining due to a loose drain cover at Turn 17. After a brief resumption, the same issue re-emerged, causing a second red flag and ultimately ending the session prematurely.
• Leclerc's Troubles: Amid the chaos, Charles Leclerc suffered a gearbox issue towards the end of the session, forcing him to pull over at Turn 5. This could lead to penalties if a new gearbox is required.
• Top 10: Norris finished first, followed by Kimi Antonelli, Leclerc (on his medium-tyre run), Nico Hülkenberg, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, George Russell, Alex Albon, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton.

The big picture:

• The recurring track issues in Las Vegas mirror previous F1 incidents, raising questions about venue readiness and track construction standards for new events. These disruptions are particularly problematic for a high-profile new race like the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which aims to make a strong impression.
• McLaren's consistent pace, especially with Norris leading, suggests they could be strong contenders for podium finishes or even a win, continuing their impressive mid-season resurgence.
• The challenges faced by top teams like Ferrari (Leclerc's gearbox) and the relatively subdued performance of championship contenders like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in this session indicate that the unpredictable nature of street circuits and new venues can level the playing field.

What's next:

• Teams will be working overtime to analyze the limited data gathered from this disrupted session and prepare for qualifying. The focus will be on understanding tire degradation and finding optimal setups for the unique track characteristics.
• Race organizers will need to swiftly address the manhole cover issue to ensure the safety and smooth running of the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend. Any further track integrity problems could lead to more delays or even impact the race schedule.
• All eyes will be on qualifying to see if Norris can maintain his pace and if other front-runners can overcome their practice session setbacks to challenge for pole position.