After much hype surrounding the newest Formula 1 circuit, the event got off to an inauspicious start after the first free practice session was canceled due to a drain cover breaking off and being hit by two cars.
First, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz ran over the tarpaulin on the main straight, severely damaging his car as he came to a stop on the edge of the track.
“We are checking the damage caused to Carlos’ car when he hit the manhole cover, which appears to be quite large,” Ferrari reported.
Then, just moments later, after the red flag sounded, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon crashed into the same cover – and suffered serious damage to the front of his car.
Its French manufacturer has already confirmed that it will have to work on a replacement chassis for the rest of the weekend.
Alpine interim team boss Bruno Famin told Sky Sports F1 about the possibility of getting back on track later: “Not entirely impossible. It shouldn’t be finished yet, but I don’t know.
“If FP2 lasts a little longer, if it’s an hour and a half, which I think could be possible, we have the possibility of being back on track before the end of FP2.”
As the FIA seeks to better understand the situation and circumstances that led to the manhole cover coming loose, the fate of the second free practice session remains uncertain.
Just over an hour after FP1 was abandoned, F1 and Las Vegas GP organizers released a joint statement outlining the issue:
“Following an inspection by Formula 1 and the FIA, a single water valve cover failed at the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit during first practice. The FIA, F1 and local circuit engineering teams are actively working to investigate and resolve the issue. We will provide an update on the race schedule as soon as possible.”
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A523
If major work is required to ensure the safety of any remaining manhole covers around the circuit, this may result in the second session not being able to take place as planned.
However, if the FIA quickly concludes that the problem is under control and events can continue, the session can continue – and it could potentially even be extended to make up for the time lost due to the abandonment of FP1.
An FIA spokesman detailed what went wrong in FP1, saying the problem revolved around the concrete casing surrounding the cover.
“After inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that had failed,” he said. “We now need to check all the other manhole covers, which will take some time.
“We will discuss with the local circuit engineering team how long it will take to resolve the incident and will update the schedule to reflect any resulting changes.”
The cancellation of FP1 comes amid a wave of skepticism over the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which has been criticized by world champion Max Verstappen for putting show business above the sporting elements.
On Wednesday, Verstappen said of Vegas: “99% show and 1% sporting event.”
“Not a lot of emotions to be honest. I just like to always focus on the performance side of things. I don’t like everything around it anyway. Of course I know that in some places they are part of it, but let’s just say that’s not in my interest.”
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