Norris leads FP2 in Las Vegas after red flag delays, showcasing pace and control in a tricky session for ”.
When a Formula 1 weekend heads to a place as dramatic as Las Vegas, you expect a little chaos, a little glitter, and a whole lot of speed. FP2 delivered exactly that. Lando Norris once again reminded the paddock why he’s leading the championship, topping the session despite cold temperatures, rain-speckled asphalt, and two red-flag interruptions that shuffled the order like a deck of Vegas cards.
Introduction
FP2 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix gave us everything you’d expect from a race weekend in the city of bright lights—speed, unpredictability, and a twist of high-stakes drama. Lando Norris once again took center stage, clocking the fastest time as the session became a stop-start affair thanks to red flags and crumbling track conditions. It felt like watching a magic trick unfold—you think you know what’s coming, and suddenly the illusion changes.
Norris Sets the Tone in a Tricky FP2
Lando Norris entered the weekend with a solid 24-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri, and FP2 showed exactly why he’s been the man to beat lately. His 1m 33.602s lap wasn’t just quick. It was commanding, set in a session where rhythm was hard to find.
It was like he was playing on a slightly slanted poker table—but still dealing aces.
Early Dampness and Hesitant Starts
A light drizzle between FP1 and FP2 left small traces of moisture on the circuit. In a sport where grip is everything, even a hint of dampness raises eyebrows. Teams waited nearly five minutes before sending drivers out, not wanting to waste laps or risk unnecessary damage.
Bearman’s Warning: A Slippery Vegas Strip
Ollie Bearman was among the first to report what many already suspected: “The track is slippery.”
And he wasn’t exaggerating. Lap times at the beginning of FP2 were seconds slower than FP1, almost as if the cars were tiptoeing down the strip rather than attacking it.
Hamilton’s Early Benchmark and Close Call
Lewis Hamilton put down the first eye-catching lap—a 1m 35.338s that momentarily set the tone. But the bigger headline was his heart-stopping moment with Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber on the back straight. A split-second difference, and the session might have had its first crash.
McLaren Finds Its Rhythm
After a quiet FP1, McLaren finally found life. Both Norris and Piastri jumped toward the top of the timing sheets, reminding everyone that this team has become a qualifying powerhouse in 2025.
Russell Briefly Takes Control
George Russell wasn’t going to let McLaren have all the fun. On the medium tyres, he clocked a 1m 34.430s—the fastest lap of the day at that point.
It was Mercedes’ first big statement of the session.
Norris Breaks the 1m 34s Barrier
Norris then fired back with a 1m 33.943s, but not without drama. He locked up heavily at Turn 14, skating off the ideal line and proving just how unforgiving the Las Vegas circuit can be.
Leclerc Responds Before Trouble Hits
Charles Leclerc looked like the man ready to spoil the McLaren-Mercedes fight. On the medium compound, he produced a stunning 1m 33.763s—faster than Norris’s earlier attempt.
But little did he know that the session had a nasty surprise waiting for him.
Qualifying Simulations Begin
As the clock approached the halfway mark, teams switched to soft tyres for qualifying simulations. Antonelli briefly captured P1 before Norris returned with his session-topping 1m 33.602s.
Everything seemed set for a final push… until the session was stopped.
First Red Flag: Track Maintenance Drama
Just as the action peaked, the red flag waved. Officials had spotted a track anomaly—maintenance was needed. For drivers, that’s like being forced to fold a winning hand mid-game.
The delay wrecked tyre prep and rhythm for many teams.
The Late Dash for Final Laps
With just over five minutes left, FP2 resumed. The pit lane looked like a supermarket rush the moment the shutters open—cars poured out in desperation to grab one last flying lap.
But the chaos wasn’t over.
Leclerc’s Gearbox Failure and Second Red Flag
Leclerc’s Ferrari suddenly slowed. His engineer ordered him not to shift gears, meaning only one thing—gearbox failure. He pulled over, the red flag came out again, and the session ended prematurely.
For Ferrari fans, it felt like deja vu.
Final Order After the Chaotic Session
When the dust settled, here’s how FP2 ended:
Top 3
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes (+0.029s)
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari (mediums)
Other Notables
- Hulkenberg set a strong time on the softs.
- Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar impressed.
- Russell, Albon, Verstappen, and Hamilton completed the top 10.
Oscar Piastri finished only 14th after missing the chance to run soft tyres due to the interruptions.
What FP2 Tells Us About the Weekend
McLaren is fast. Mercedes is dangerously close. Ferrari is fast but fragile. And Red Bull still hasn’t revealed its true pace.
Vegas promises a qualifying showdown where one perfectly timed lap could separate the front row from the midfield. The grip levels, the temperatures, and the narrow margins mean anything can happen.
Conclusion
FP2 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix had all the unpredictability you’d expect from a race set in a city built on chance. Between cold track conditions, two red flags, and a late gearbox failure for Leclerc, the session was a true test of adaptability. Norris once again proved he’s in a league of his own, but Antonelli and Leclerc showed they’re not far behind.
If FP2 is the appetizer, qualifying is shaping up to be a full-course thrill ride.
FAQs
1. Why were there two red flags in FP2?
The first was for track maintenance, and the second due to Leclerc’s gearbox issue forcing him to stop on track.
2. How did Lando Norris secure the fastest time?
He set a 1m 33.602s during qualifying simulations on soft tyres before the red flags disrupted the session.
3. Why were lap times slower at the beginning of FP2?
Light rain between sessions left moisture on the circuit, reducing grip significantly.
4. What happened to Charles Leclerc’s car?
He suffered a gearbox problem and was instructed not to shift gears before pulling off the track.
5. Which teams looked strongest heading into qualifying?
McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari showed promising pace, while Red Bull’s full potential remains unclear.
