Charles Leclerc let off for unusual Las Vegas practice breach

Charles Leclerc has escaped a penalty for an unusual double breach during second practice at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver pulled off after appearing to suffer a gearbox issue in the closing stages of a curtailed second practice session in Sin City as two late red flags disrupted proceedings.

“Something broke. Gearbox. Can I shift or not?” Leclerc was heard asking his race engineer, who responded: “Do not shift.”

The incident meant Leclerc missed out on a few laps at the end of FP2. 

Leclerc was investigated after failing to replace his steering wheel or turn off the ERS on his Ferrari after grinding to a halt.

However, the stewards decided to take no further action. 

"The driver explained that prior to stepping out of the car, he tried to put it in neutral but he could not do so. He then switched off the car and left the car," they said. 

"The marshals tried to put the car in neutral but could not. The driver then tried to assist the marshals by switching the car back on to attempt to put it in neutral however the marshals, in the belief the car was unsafe, asked him not to.

"Finally he persuaded the marshals that the car was safe, and turned off the power."

Leclerc downplayed the incident, telling Sky Sports F1: "The steering wheel was back on, there was a bit of a misunderstanding in everything that happened, but it will be all fine." 

Leclerc topped opening practice in Lass Vegas, before ending up third in FP2, 0.161 seconds off the pace set by McLaren's championship leader Lando Norris.

Second practice was interrupted by two separate red flags for a suspected loose manhole cover at the final corner, Turn 17.

The delays and disruption meant a true representation of the competitive picture could not be formed heading into final practice and qualifying.