Lando Norris emerged as the fastest in the second free practice of the GP weekend in Las Vegas. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story, as the session was disrupted towards the end by two red flags due to a potentially loose manhole cover. As a result, not every driver was able to set a fast time on soft tires. This was the case for Max Verstappen, who finished ninth in the second practice.
If there was to be rain, it was predicted to occur during this second session of the weekend. So, it’s not surprising that indeed a few drops fell from the American sky at the start of the practice. However, it didn’t amount to much. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were not bothered, showing speed right away. Norris and Oscar Piastri joined the duo in the early stages, with Pierre Gasly as a surprisingly quick outsider in the first twenty minutes.
As more grip is gained on the track and the drivers gain confidence, the circuit becomes faster. For instance, drivers on medium tires were faster at the start than on soft rubber throughout the entire first session. Verstappen, after a precarious moment on the kerbs, lost a handful of tenths and was in eighth place. He quickly recovered and climbed to P3.
Norris Takes the Lead
At this point, Lando Norris is the fastest, with Charles Leclerc trailing behind him. Meanwhile, the weather outside is chilly, just like in the opening session. The mercury reads 14 degrees, with an asphalt temperature of only 17 degrees. In the second half-hour of the session, the soft tires are quickly fitted on most, if not all, of the drivers’ cars. Incidents are scarce, save for minor slips from Bortoleto, Norris, and Leclerc.
However, a red flag is raised with twenty minutes remaining. It’s unclear why the race officials decided to call for a red flag, but some teams report that it might be due to a loose manhole cover, a situation that brings back bad memories in Las Vegas.
As time continues to tick away, with just over five minutes left, the race officials decide it’s safe to resume the session. At this point, several drivers, including Max Verstappen, who are on soft tires, have not yet set a fast time. So, it’s a few minutes of full-throttle racing on the fastest tire to make the most of the situation. But then, another red flag is raised, ending the training session in an anticlimax and with a distorted picture. However, this won’t bother championship leader Norris: he heads into the American night as the fastest.
