When Charles Leclerc came to a sudden stop at Turn 5 during the second practice session of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 18, 2023, it wasn’t just a mechanical failure—it was a cascade of confusion that nearly derailed qualifying prep for half the grid. The Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow driver’s gearbox gave out with just minutes left in FP2, but the real story wasn’t his car. It was the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)’s decision to red-flag the session again—despite Leclerc being safely off-track—and the controversy that followed.
Two Red Flags, One Confusing Night
The session had already been halted once, with 20 minutes remaining, after marshals spotted a loose drain cover near Turn 5. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, a temporary street track built along Las Vegas Boulevard between Harmon Avenue and Sahara Avenue in Paradise, Nevada, isn’t built for Formula One’s demands. Drain covers, manholes, and uneven pavement are everyday hazards—unlike at purpose-built circuits like Silverstone or Monza. FIA officials inspected the cover, deemed it secure, and restarted the session with five minutes left. Then, seconds later, Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-25 stalled. He radioed his engineer: “Gearbox issue.” He coasted to a stop behind the barrier, no danger to others. But instead of a green flag, another red flag flew. Teams were stunned. Some hadn’t even finished their final soft-tire laps. Others were mid-corner when the session froze. “It felt like we were being punished for infrastructure problems we didn’t create,” said one senior team strategist, speaking anonymously.The Stewards’ Ruling: Safety Over Procedure
The FIA’s official statement five minutes after FP2 ended was telling: “Some Race Control personnel remained on-site when the session was restarted. They reported that the manhole cover was moving as cars passed over it.” That detail changed everything. It wasn’t just a loose cover anymore—it was a live, dynamic hazard. One car at 200 mph could lift it, sending debris into the path of those behind. That’s not theoretical. In 2022, a similar issue at the Miami Grand Prix caused a tire to be shredded. No one wanted a repeat. The stewards spent 90 minutes reviewing telemetry, video feeds, and marshals’ logs. Their conclusion? No penalty for Leclerc or Ferrari. “The red flag was not triggered by the car’s failure,” the ruling read. “It was triggered by the confirmed movement of a trackside hazard.” The decision was grounded in Article 41.5 of the 2023 Sporting Regulations, which gives stewards discretion to halt sessions if safety is compromised—even if the initial cause is unrelated.
Why This Mattered More Than It Seemed
In Formula One, FP2 isn’t just about setup. It’s the last chance to simulate qualifying tire wear, brake temperatures, and cornering grip under race conditions. Teams rely on soft compound runs to dial in their qualifying strategy. With the session cut short, 12 of the 20 cars—including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton—never got a clean, timed lap on the soft tires. That forced teams into educated guesses for qualifying. “Imagine flying to New York for a job interview, only to have the office close 10 minutes before you arrive,” said former F1 engineer and analyst David Croft on Sky Sports. “You’ve got to make do. That’s what everyone had to do tonight.” The incident also raised broader questions about the suitability of street circuits with aging infrastructure. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit features 14 corners, many over road joints and utility access points. The FIA knew this. Yet they approved the layout. Now, with two major incidents in two days—including a prior marshal positioning issue at Turn 1—they’re under scrutiny.
What’s Next for Las Vegas and F1
The main race, scheduled for Sunday, November 19, 2023, at 22:00 Pacific Standard Time, went ahead as planned. But the FIA has promised a post-race review of all temporary circuit infrastructure. Sources say they’re considering mandatory pressure tests on all drain covers at future street events. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s engineers are still analyzing why Leclerc’s gearbox failed. Was it the rough surface? Thermal stress? Or just bad luck? One thing’s clear: this wasn’t a driver error. It wasn’t a team mistake. It was a reminder that Formula One’s glamour hides a gritty reality—where a single loose manhole cover can turn a practice session into a regulatory headache.Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn’t Charles Leclerc penalized for stopping on track?
Leclerc wasn’t penalized because his stoppage was caused by a mechanical failure, not driver error or unsafe behavior. He brought the car to a controlled stop off the racing line, minimizing risk. The FIA’s investigation confirmed the red flag was triggered by the moving drain cover—not his car’s position—so no rule was broken.
How did the red flag affect qualifying preparation?
Twelve teams missed their final soft-tire runs, which are essential for simulating qualifying conditions. Without real data on tire degradation and grip levels, teams had to rely on simulations and past data. This created a significant disadvantage for those who didn’t complete a clean lap, potentially impacting grid positions for the race.
Is the Las Vegas Strip Circuit safe for Formula One?
The circuit passed initial safety checks, but the two incidents during the weekend exposed vulnerabilities in its infrastructure. Drain covers, road joints, and uneven surfaces aren’t typical in permanent tracks. The FIA has committed to reviewing these elements before future events, suggesting future street circuits may require stricter pre-race inspections.
What’s different about this red flag compared to others in F1?
Most red flags are triggered by on-track incidents or debris. This one was triggered by an off-track hazard—moving infrastructure—that was only confirmed after the session restarted. It’s rare for a session to be halted twice for the same issue, and rarer still for stewards to uphold the second stoppage when the driver’s car was no longer a threat.
Will this lead to changes in FIA safety protocols?
Yes. Sources within the FIA indicate mandatory pre-event pressure and movement tests for all drain covers and manholes at future street circuits are under consideration. Teams will also be given more time to inspect track conditions before practice, and marshals may be required to stay on-site longer during restarts to monitor infrastructure stability.
Why did the FIA wait five minutes to issue a statement?
Race control needed time to verify reports from multiple marshals who remained near Turn 5 after the restart. The movement of the cover wasn’t immediately obvious on video—it required physical confirmation. The delay wasn’t negligence; it was due diligence. When the FIA finally confirmed the cover was shifting under load, they acted decisively.