Max ninth in Las Vegas FP2: 'Difficult with interruptions'

Published on 21 November 2025 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen was ninth quickest in the second free practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Land Norris, McLaren, was quickest ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

The session was interrupted by two red flags, caused by concerns over a possible loose drain cover. It meant the drivers lost a significant amount of running time with Max unable to clock a flying lap on the soft tyres.

“It was difficult to know what to do with all these interruptions”, said Max after practice. “We still have to improve a bit to find more grip. Of course, the track is getting better so we’ll see how we can best use the tyres for qualifying and the race.”

Despite having won several races this year on low grip circuits, Max remains realistic about his prospects. “It’s so much colder here and the track surface is really slippery. You can’t really compare it with other low downforce circuits. So it’s not a given we’ll be quick here.”

At the start of the session, the circuit is slightly damp due to a brief shower that finished before FP2. Nevertheless, the drivers head out on track on slick Pirellis.

As the circuit dries, the lap times tumble. With half an hour to go, Leclerc is quickest ahead of Norris, Russell, Max and Hamilton. Soon after, the drivers switch to the soft tyres to prepare for qualifying simulations. The lap times improve quickly with Norris and Antonelli going quickest.

With twenty minutes to go, the session is red flagged due to concerns a drain hole cover could be loose at turn 17. After a lengthy inspection, the session continues with six minutes to go. Max is able to start his first timed lap on the softs but has to abort due to another red flag that marks the end of the session, again attributed to concerns about the manhole cover. It means Max has to settle for P9. In the meantime, Leclerc has had to park his Ferrari  trackside with a gearbox problem.

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Results second free practice Las-vegas: