Overview
- Movement at a Turn 17 maintenance cover triggered two red flags in FP2 and the session ended early.
- The FIA disassembled the suspect unit, identified a fault in its closure mechanism, and welded the cover as mitigation.
- Inspections across the circuit led to additional welding on 14 manhole assemblies on or near the racing line.
- Final practice started as scheduled on Friday with no further red flags reported, with qualifying set for later in the night.
- The stoppages renewed focus on Las Vegas’ street infrastructure after Carlos Sainz’s 2023 damage, as Mercedes’ Toto Wolff defended the event’s reputation.