F1 forced to cancel first Las Vegas GP session as unsafe track destroys two cars
The first practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was cancelled after unsafe track conditions destroyed two cars.
Cars finally took to the track around the iconic strip for the first time on Thursday night after months of buildup. However, the action didn’t last long after Carlos Sainz Jr ground to a halt after sustaining damage to his Ferrari.
Sainz pulled over on the Strip in the final sector after encountering a problem with his car. He bottomed out against something on track under yellow flags which killed his engine and saw him forced to stop his car.
The yellow flag was upgraded to a red flag, stopping the session as FIA officials went out to inspect what has happened. They later confirmed a drain hole cover was to blame for the damage.
READ MORE: F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
READ MORE: Johnny Herbert slams "moaning" F1 stars as huge Las Vegas GP problem looms
Dancing with Wolves actor arrested for sex abuse and accused of running cult
The session was cancelled as a result of the unsafe track conditions as they sought to investigate and rectify the issue. There were still 40 minutes of the session remaining when it was called off.
Alfa Romeo driver Zhou Guanyu also appeared to sustain some damage to his car. Esteban Ocon’s Alpine was so badly damaged by the track that the team had to change his chassis.
An FIA statement read: "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"
It has been a tricky start to the event for Formula 1 after ticket prices plummeted in the run-up to the event. F1 owners Liberty Media are thought to have spent around $500 million in bringing a Grand Prix to Las Vegas.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of the Las Vegas Grand Prix? Join the discussion in the comments section.
Track conditions caused Carlos Sainz Jr's Ferrari to grind to a halt after sustaining damage (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)However, not everyone has been enjoying the spectacle. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen admitted he is keen to focus on racing and was not a fan of a glitzy driver introduction ceremony held on Wednesday night. He referred to the event as "99 percent show and one percent sporting event".
“For me, you can skip all these things," he said. "It’s not about the singer, it’s just standing up there, you look like a clown.
“I’m not going to fake it. I just always voiced my opinion in positive things and negative things. And that’s just how I am. And some people like a show a bit more. I don’t like it at all.
“I grew up just looking at the performance side of things, and that’s how I see it as well. So for me, I like to be in Vegas but not so much for racing.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
