The FIA has revealed that considerable work was undertaken overnight to repair faults on multiple manhole covers around the Las Vegas Street Circuit.
The second practice session was red-flagged after 38 minutes on Thursday after a track marshal noticed a loose manhole cover on the approach to Turn 17.
Following an 18-minute delay, the session was allowed to continue, only for it be stopped again soon after race control personnel who had remained on-site reported the cover was moving as the cars passed over it.
To ensure there will be no further issues across the course of the weekend, that cover was welded shut. A detailed inspection then followed of all other covers around the track, with a remarkable 14 in addition found to be faulty, with repairs carried out.
An FIA spokesperson said: "The manhole that prompted the red flag in FP2 was disassembled and further inspected.
"A specific fault was found with the closure mechanism, and it was possible to address this issue overnight.
"In addition to the work conducted to address the issue identified, the cover of this manhole has been welded to provide further mitigation.
"All other manhole covers on, or close to the racing line, were reinspected overnight, and additional welding was applied to a further 14 manhole assemblies."
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