Disaster Opening for Las Vegas Grand Prix
Image: Red Bull Content Pool
The highly anticipated Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix faced an unexpected hurdle during its opening practice session (FP1), which was abruptly halted after just 20 minutes.
The session was red-flagged following a concerning stoppage involving Carlos Sainz of the Ferrari team. Sainz's car came to a standstill between the iconic Bellagio and Paris hotels, right on the Las Vegas Strip. Onboard footage revealed that the vehicle had been immobilized due to a significant bump on the track.
Further investigation by TV cameras exposed severe damage to the front section of Sainz's car. The FIA later confirmed that the cause of the damage was a loose manhole cover, prompting immediate safety concerns. The session was therefore not restarted, as the circuit required urgent repairs and thorough inspection of other potentially risky areas, particularly the drains and manholes.
An official statement from the FIA shed light on the situation: "The concrete frame around a manhole cover has failed. We are now conducting a comprehensive check of all manhole covers on the circuit, which is expected to be a time-consuming process. We will keep all parties updated on any changes to the event schedule that may arise from these inspections."
The incident had wider implications for the drivers, with Esteban Ocon of Alpine also sustaining chassis damage from the same manhole cover. The FIA is contemplating extending FP2 or FP3 sessions to compensate for the lost track time. This situation resonates with the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where George Russell's Williams suffered severe damage due to a similar incident involving a loose drain cover.
The incident also brought back memories of a 2017 mishap at Sepang, where Haas driver Romain Grosjean crashed due to a drain-related issue, leading to compensation from the organizers. Before the session's abrupt end, drivers were beginning to get a feel for the Las Vegas street circuit. Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc had set the early pace, only for the session to be cut short.
The impact of the incident extended beyond the track, affecting both the teams and the fans. The Ferrari team expressed significant concerns about the integrity of other manhole covers on the circuit, given the extensive damage to Sainz's car, which included the monocoque, engine, and battery. Fans, who had eagerly anticipated the return of F1 to Las Vegas after a 41-year hiatus, were left in a state of disappointment and confusion, with some reportedly choosing to leave the venue.
As the F1 community and Las Vegas GP organizers grapple with these unforeseen challenges, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and integrity of the track for the upcoming sessions, with updates on the schedule expected soon.
