Las Vegas GP Practice Disrupted by Loose Manhole Cover, Now Fixed Before Qualifying
The second practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix was disrupted twice due to a suspected loose manhole cover at Turn 17, causing red flags and session interruptions. FIA officials inspected the cover after a marshal reported movement, and the session was temporarily resumed before being stopped again for further safety checks. The issue was linked to the aerodynamic forces generated by F1 cars, which put extreme stress on circuit fixtures, necessitating additional welding and inspection of 15 manhole covers around the circuit. This incident echoes a similar event in 2023, which delayed the race weekend. Despite the disruptions, qualifying proceeded as scheduled after the manhole cover was welded shut, ensuring safety for the event. Meanwhile, driver performance saw George Russell top the final practice, with Max Verstappen and Alexander Albon also posting strong times. Norris secured pole position in qualifying, with the race scheduled for the upcoming day.
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