The Las Vegas Grand Prix faced significant disruptions during its second practice session on November 20, 2025, due to safety concerns involving a loose maintenance cover near Turn 17. This incident echoed a similar event from the inaugural Grand Prix held two years prior, where a water valve cover caused damaging issues for driver Carlos Sainz.
Incident Overview
During the session, the first red flag was raised after a trackside marshal noticed the maintenance cover was not securely in place. Following this report, race control conducted an inspection. A statement from the FIA confirmed that they believed conditions were suitable to resume the session.
Continued Safety Concerns
However, late in the session, a second red flag was necessitated due to ongoing concerns about the cover. Reports indicated that the cover was moving as cars traversed the area. As a precaution, race control opted to halt the session completely.
- First red flag due to loose maintenance cover.
- Second red flag prompted by similar concerns.
- FIA inspecting the situation for safety of drivers.
Impact on Schedule
The second practice session’s premature conclusion pushed the F1 event schedule for the evening to an early end. Fortunately, F1 Academy was able to proceed with its qualifying session just 32 minutes after practice concluded, experiencing only a brief delay.
Common Safety Issues at Street Circuits
Loose maintenance covers are familiar occurrences at street circuits. The high forces exerted by F1 cars often lead to such issues. Vehicles are designed to create a low pressure that grips them to the track, which can displace unsecured covers.
Further inspections are expected to ensure the safety and integrity of the circuit before the upcoming races. The FIA remains committed to maintaining a secure environment for all participants at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
