Autobayng News Team
Carlos Sainz Jnr was concerned to see a repeat of the manhole cover problems he encountered two years ago at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
The second practice session was stopped twice on Thursday due to concern over a loose manhole cover between turns 16 and 17, though no cars were damaged.
Sainz suffered a heavy impact with a loose manhole cover during the first practice session at the track two years ago, when he was driving for Ferrari. The incident occured at a different point on the circuit, on the long straight approaching turn 14.
The impact did significant damage to Sainz’s car and forced him to use a replacement power unit. That led to a grid penalty which meant he was unable to start from second place, where he qualified.
The second practice session today was red-flagged after a track worker spotted the manhole cover moving and reported it to race control. They inspected the cover under red flag conditions and decided the session could resume.
However staff remained at the scene and, after the cars rejoined the track, they noticed the cover was moving as drivers passed by. The decision was therefore taken to red-flag the session again, at which point there was no time left to restart it.
“Let’s see what was the issue with the drain cover or the manhole cover, whatever that was,” said Sainz after practice. “It doesn’t bring me very good memories, so hopefully they’re sorting it.”
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Track action resumed at the circuit shortly afterwards as F1 Academy held its qualifying session without any interruptions.
The timing of the red flags meant most drivers were unable to set representative lap times on the softest rubber in second practice.
“Unfortunately it took away very valuable timing for everyone, especially for me,” Sainz told the official F1 channel. “I went out a bit late in the session and didn’t manage to put a lap on softs in the end.”
Both Williams drivers ended the first practice session inside the top five and Sainz is hopeful they will be competitive.
“The pace looks promising, the car balance looks okay, the tyres are a bit on the limit so quali will be tough but I think we’re on the right track,” he said.
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2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix
- McLaren quickest but disrupted session leaves teams guessing: Practice data
- Leclerc and Bortoleto cleared over practice incidents
- Return of manhole cover problem in Las Vegas ‘doesn’t bring me good memories’ – Sainz
- Piastri unsure about McLaren’s pace: “I did two laps the whole session”
- Las Vegas is “the least enjoyable street track I’ve driven” – Bearman
