Norris Tops Interrupted Las Vegas GP FP2; Leclerc Faces Reliability Issues

McLaren's Lando Norris led a disrupted Free Practice 2 session at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, clocking the fastest lap amidst red flags. Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari followed closely, though Leclerc's session ended with a reliability issue, raising concerns for the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

• The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its unique street circuit, and FP2 provides crucial data for teams to fine-tune their setups for the demanding track conditions, especially as teams adapt to the cooler night temperatures.
• Lando Norris's strong performance, despite the interruptions, positions McLaren as a potential frontrunner this weekend, reinforcing his championship lead.
• Ferrari's reliability concern with Leclerc's SF-25 is a critical development, as engine issues can severely impact their weekend performance and championship aspirations.

The details:

• Norris's Pace: McLaren's Lando Norris set the fastest time of 1:33.602, demonstrating strong pace on the Las Vegas street circuit.
• Close Competition: Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli was a mere 0.029 seconds behind Norris, indicating a tight battle at the front.
• Leclerc's Troubles: Charles Leclerc, third fastest, was forced to stop on track due to a reliability issue with his Ferrari SF-25, leading to a red flag and potentially impacting his preparation for qualifying.
• Midfield Surprises: Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) and Racing Bulls rookies Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson showed impressive pace, securing fourth, fifth, and sixth positions respectively, hinting at a competitive midfield.
• Championship Contenders: Reigning champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) finished ninth, more than half a second off Norris's pace, while Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) rounded out the top 10.
• Piastri's Struggle: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) was down in 14th, struggling to set a representative time on soft tires, suggesting differing tire strategies or setup issues within the McLaren camp.

What's next:

Teams will analyze the limited data from the interrupted FP2 session to prepare for FP3 and the crucial qualifying session. Ferrari will be under pressure to diagnose and resolve Leclerc's reliability issue before it impacts their Saturday performance. The varying performance across the grid, particularly among the top teams, sets the stage for a competitive and unpredictable weekend in Las Vegas.