Las Vegas GP: Drain covers cause red flags again

"The suspension to the session allowed race control personnel to visit Turn 17 and inspect the manhole cover, with the FIA issuing a statement 15 minutes later that it was "confident everything is in a suitable condition to resume the session". However, in the closing stages of the session a second red flag was flown amid more concerns over the manhole, which ultimately timed out second practice."

"The stoppages had shades of a similar incident at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix two years ago, during which a water valve cover came loose on The Strip and damaged the underside of Carlos Sainz's Ferrari. The 2023 incident resulted in the first practice session ending early and second practice being delayed until the early hours of the following morning."

Two red flags stopped the second practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after concerns over a loose manhole cover near Turn 17. A trackside marshal first reported the cover appearing loose, prompting race control to inspect the manhole and issue a statement 15 minutes later expressing confidence to resume. In the closing stages, personnel reported the cover moving as cars passed, and the session was ended under red-flag conditions with further inspections planned. Loose drain covers commonly loosen at street circuits because F1 cars generate low-pressure underside forces. F1 Academy qualifying ran shortly after with a minimal delay.

Read at ESPN.com