Las Vegas GP stoppage explained as F1 event delayed indefinitely over safety

17 November 2023 , 08:09

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Carlos Sainz hit a manhole cover which caused extensive damage to his Ferrari while the session was called off (Image: Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Second practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was heavily delayed after the first was cancelled over a safety issue which caused significant damage to two cars.

Carlos Sainz sustained heavy damage to his Ferrari after hitting a loose manhole cover on track, while the same thing also happened to Alpine racer Esteban Ocon. The track had been inspected by the FIA prior to any running and had been approved for action.

But, clearly, there are issues with the newly-created street circuit. Not only did the manhole cover that came loose need replacing, but the governing body must now inspect every other one on the circuit which took a long time.

As a result, second practice which was due to begin at 8am GMT was delayed indefinitely. The hope was that the session would be able to take place on Friday as planned but, given it was already past midnight in Las Vegas when that call was made, time was limited.

Roads which make up part of the circuit were due to reopen at 6am local time, giving organisers only a short window in which to fix the issues in time to get cars on track. A 90-minute session is planned to begin at 2am local time (10am GMT) following that track inspection.

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The FIA confirmed that proceedings have been delayed indefinitely while work is carried out on the track. A spokesperson for the governing body said: "Following inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed. We now need to check all of the other manhole covers, which will take some time.

"We will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule." They also confirmed that "discussions around all possible scenarios are ongoing".

First practice in Las Vegas was called off after Carlos Sainz sustained heavy damage from the track (Hasan Bratic/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)

Even if practice is able to take place, Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said his team will not be able to get Sainz's car ready in time for him to take part. He described the situation as "just unacceptable" as he told reporters that chassis, engine and battery damage had been done.

"The show is mega and I am very happy with what [F1 commercial rights holders] Liberty [Media] did around the race but we have to separate the show and the sporting side," said the Frenchman.

"The show is mega. The opening ceremony was something mega in F1 but it is not because you are doing this that you don't have to do the job on the sporting side. You can do the show and do a good job on the sporting side."

His words echo those of Max Verstappen who was left very unimpressed after taking part on the 'opening ceremony' for the event on Wednesday night. The champion slammed the event as being "99 per cent show, and one per cent sporting event".

Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle said the incident is "embarrassing" for F1 chiefs as their glamorous new event gets off to a horrible start. But Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, who was in a combative mood during a press conference after that shortened first session, shared a different view.

"That is not a 'black eye' – this is nothing," the Austrian declared. "We are [on] Thursday night, we have a free practice session one that we're not doing. They're going to seal the drain covers and nobody's going to talk about that tomorrow morning anymore.

"It's FP1 – how can you even dare trying to talk bad about an event that sets new standards to everything? You're speaking about a f***ing drain cover that's been undone, that has happened before. That's nothing – it's FP1. Give credit to the people that have set up this grand prix, that have made this sport much bigger than it ever was.

"Liberty has done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has become undone, we shouldn't be moaning. The car is broken – that's really a shame. For Carlos, it could have been dangerous.

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"So between the FIA and the track and everybody needs to analyse how we can make sure that this is not happening again. But talking here about the 'black eye for the sport' on a Thursday evening – nobody watches that in European time anyway."

Daniel Moxon