F1 Las Vegas GP live commentary and updates - FP2

THAT'S IT FROM FP2

So Lando Norris ends the session fastest, but the final picture of pace was obscured by the fact that many drivers didn't get to set a representative lap, owing to those red flags.

Action resumes at 16:30 local time tomorrow with FP3. Join us then!

Marshals and circuit staff gather to repair a drain cover on track which caused a red flag

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

News from the FIA: "Some Race Control personnel remained on-site [ie Turn 17 approach] when the session was restarted. They reported that the manhole cover was moving as cars passed over it, which led to the session being ended under red flag conditions. Further inspections are underway."

"Red flag due to track maintenance" - well that confidence level didn't last long.

Looks like all the runners were on used tyres anyway, and a micture of softs and mediums, so we have not been denied too much in the way of fireworks.

John Elkann meanwhile saying Leclerc should just focus on driving rather than talking. Maybe give him a car he can actually drive...

But Charles Leclerc won't be taking part – he's in the run-off at Turn 5, reporting "something has broken".

"Following inspection, we are confident everything is in a suitable condition to resume the session" say the FIA.

Well there was a quick scramble to get out of the garages and into the pitlane so as to be head of the queue - not long left in the session and everybody wants to get a push lap in on those softs...

We'll be back on the ice in a couple of minutes: 20:54 local.

This is a bit of a shame because the track was finally starting to evolve. Then of course there will be a reset overnight and into the next day's running because the majority of the circuit is on public roads – so the Strip in particular will be gnarly again.

PARTY LIKE IT'S 2023

FIA confirming that work is underway to investigate a report of a loose manhole cover – they couldn't see it on CCTV so had to send out personnel to take a closer look. It's right on the racing line on the approach to Turn 17.

Meanwhile air temperature has crept up a whole degree to 14C, but track temp is a positively frigid 17C.

Antonelli also going quicker, with a 1m33.631. Hulkenberg also into the 1m33s after a quiet start to the session...

Norris reporting drizzle in the final sector.

Norris purple in sector two as well but we have a yellow flag somewhere on track and that looks to have compromised his final sector. He goes fastest – 1m33.602s – but there was clearly something on the table there.

Norris now on a fast one, purple in sector one...

Hadjar obviously didn't hurt those softs too much because he's just done a 1m33.893s

Everybody but Ocon now out on track on softs. Ocon still in the garage.

We're now into performance run territory as Leclerc goes back out on softs – and almost immediately has a moment at Turn 9! He slid straight on and just got the car stopped before smiting the barrier.

Isack Hadjar also in exploration mode at Turn 16, locking up and spoiling the softs he's just fitted. RB team-mate Liam Lawson has just gone P2 with a 1m33.001s - also on softs.

IT IS HE

Charles Leclerc now the fastest on track, 1m33.763s – 10 laps into a stint on mediums.

Meanwhile Lando Norris gets a massive lock-up into Turn 16 and explores the run-off area. The McLaren looking quick but flighty; it appears the team has shifted to the distinctive flat-profile Monza rear wing.

Speaking of whom, Russell has improved to a 1m34.037s and he's 11 laps into his run on those mediums.

Still a way to go before we get anywhere near to George Russell's 2024 Las Vegas GP pole time, which was 1m32.312s.

HAMMER TIME

Hamilton finally gets a clear lap and goes top: 1m34.127s.

But his time in the sun is limited, for Norris circulates in 1m33.943s. That's the fastest lap of the weekend so far.

Oscar Piastri now goes to the top: 1m34.740s. And immediately surpassed by McLaren team-mate Lando Norris: 1m34.713s.

But George Russell instructs them to hold his beer by doing a 1m34.430s.

The track is finally starting to rubber in but many of those cars looking like a bit of a handful.

George Russell, Mercedes, Alexander Albon, Williams

Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Antonelli improves to 1m35.141s, 0.075s off his team-mate. 

Norris now out of the pits so all the cars are running on track.

George Russell takes us closer to the 34s, clocking a 1m35.066s.

WHOOPSIE

Lewis Hamilton was on a fast lap just there – purple in the first sector – but then encountered a dawdling Nico Hulkenberg right on the racing line at Turn 14 at the end of the Strip. Sauber pitwall needs to wake up!

Perhaps they were reminiscing about Barry Manilow's biographical show at the nearby Paris casino a few years ago.

Kimi Antonelli first into the 35s, slotting in at the top of the timesheet with a 1m35.738s.

Everyone out on mediums so far except Gabriel Bortoleto, who has just rolled out of the pitlane on the hards. Everyone but Lando Norris now on track.

Max Verstappen goes fastest so far on 1m36.029s. Nothing to write home about so far since Leclerc's earlier benchmark was 1m34.802s.

Over half the grid now out. Alpines, RBs, Mercs, Haases, Ferraris, Red Bulls, and Alex Albon (who was second fastest in FP1).

Here we go. George Russell is first out. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto follow.

ENGINES ON – THEN OFF AGAIN

Given the rain, don't expect too much action early on. Drivers are only just being strapped in.

It's been raining again – story of this week in Las Vegas – and the ambient temperature has dropped to 13C ahead of the session.

FAN-TASTIC DAY

Before the engines fire up, don't forget that the fan-voted Autosport Awards are now open!