FIA Welds Manhole Cover at Las Vegas Grand Prix After FP2 Red Flags

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — The FIA addressed concerns over a loose manhole cover that interrupted Free Practice 2 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday. A red flag was raised after a marshal reported movement of the manhole cover before Turn 17.

Race control inspected the site but allowed practice to resume. However, the session was halted again when movement was noticed again. Ultimately, the session ended under red flag conditions with only one minute remaining.

The FIA announced it conducted additional inspections overnight and discovered a specific fault with the closure mechanism of the manhole cover, prompting them to weld it shut along with 14 other manhole assemblies around the track for safety.

The FIA confirmed, “The manhole that prompted the red flag in FP2 was disassembled and further inspected. A specific fault was found with the closure mechanism, and it was possible to address this issue overnight.” This proactive measure aims to prevent any issues during the rest of the event.

Loose manhole covers have historically been a problem at street circuits, often caused by the high-speed forces generated by F1 cars. The incident underscored the precautions needed to ensure driver safety.

This is not the first time manhole issues have affected the Las Vegas Grand Prix. During the inaugural event in 2023, a loose valve cover caused significant downtime, damaging Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and leading to penalties.

The final practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to commence at 4:30 p.m. local time before qualifying at 8 p.m.