Norris Tops Disrupted Las Vegas FP2

Lando Norris led a chaotic second free practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with red flags and technical issues preventing several key rivals from completing crucial qualifying simulations on Soft tires. Norris finished just 0.029 seconds ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in third.

Why it matters:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is a unique street circuit where track evolution and tire management are paramount. A disrupted practice session means teams have less crucial data, potentially leading to more unpredictable qualifying and race outcomes. For Norris, topping the session, even with caveats, offers a psychological edge and valuable data on the C5 Soft tires.

The Details:

• Early Session Pace: The session began with drivers on Medium tires. Max Verstappen initially set the pace (1:36.029) before Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell traded fastest laps, with Russell clocking a 1:35.066.
• McLaren's Rise: Oscar Piastri briefly took P1 (1:34.740) before Lando Norris went even quicker, though Russell reclaimed the top spot with a 1:34.713.
• Leclerc's Initial Lead: Charles Leclerc then took the lead on Medium tires, recording a 1:33.763 ten laps into his stint, showcasing Ferrari's strong underlying pace.
• Soft Tire Runs: Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson was the first to switch to Soft tires, jumping to second. Norris then set the fastest time of the session with a 1:33.602 on Softs, followed closely by Antonelli (+0.029s) and Leclerc (+0.161s).
• Red Flag Disruptions: The session was twice red-flagged. The first stoppage occurred with six minutes remaining due to a potential loose drain cover at Turn 17, halting George Russell's promising lap.
• Leclerc's Trouble: Upon restart, Leclerc reported a mechanical issue and pulled off track at Turn 6, leading to the second red flag. Race Control confirmed the drain cover at Turn 17 was indeed moving, requiring further maintenance.
• Final Standings: These disruptions meant many drivers, including Verstappen and Hamilton, couldn't complete representative Soft tire runs. Norris's time held, followed by Antonelli, Leclerc, Nico Hülkenberg, and Isack Hadjar rounding out the top five.

The Big Picture:

The recurrent issue of loose drain covers at street circuits, particularly in new venues like Las Vegas, highlights the challenges of preparing temporary tracks for the immense forces generated by F1 cars. This incident echoes similar problems seen in previous F1 events, raising questions about track integrity and safety protocols.

What's next:

Teams will now have to analyze limited Soft tire data and make crucial setup decisions for qualifying. The track is expected to continue evolving, making Friday's sessions vital for understanding grip levels and tire degradation. The focus will be on ensuring track safety for the remainder of the weekend, with further inspections likely before Saturday's running.