Vegas GP: Practice chaos as Norris tops disrupted session

Pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix remains undecided after a heavily disrupted second practice session. Championship leader Lando Norris set the fastest lap, but the session was halted by two red flags, including one caused by a loose manhole cover on the famous Las Vegas Strip. This disruption meant teams, including McLaren, missed out on vital long-run data.

Adding to the intrigue, Oscar Piastri's recent performance slump has become a major talking point. Fellow drivers Pierre Gasly and Max Verstappen expressed surprise at his struggles, with Gasly calling it 'inexplicable' given his previous strong form. Verstappen agreed, noting the significant gap that has emerged between Piastri and his teammate Norris.

Despite these challenges, multiple teams including McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull are vying for pole. While Norris cannot secure the championship this weekend, he has the opportunity to significantly impact Max Verstappen's title defense, as the Dutchman trails by 49 points.