Overview
- Second practice was halted twice after a marshal reported movement from a cover near Turn 17, with the session ultimately timing out under red flags.
- Overnight inspections found a fault in the cover’s closure mechanism, and the FIA welded that unit and reinforced 14 additional manhole assemblies.
- Officials said the remedial work was completed before Friday’s running, and final practice proceeded without manhole-related stoppages.
- Qualifying was scheduled for 8 p.m. local time following the repairs and circuit-wide checks.
- Street hardware at temporary venues has failed under low-pressure ground-effect forces before, and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defended the event against criticism.