The Las Vegas Grand Prix, an eagerly anticipated event, is being covered live on 5 Live and the Sport News Center website. However, the initial excitement was dampened by multiple issues with the new street circuit during the first day of practice.
In just nine minutes, the initial session was abruptly halted due to a loose manhole cover, which resulted in significant damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, expressed his dissatisfaction, labeling the situation as “unacceptable.”
The subsequent session commenced with a considerable delay of two and a half hours and was met with nearly empty stands, as fan areas were closed earlier. This decision, according to F1, was due to logistical concerns for both fans and staff, although no information was provided regarding potential refunds for fans. Given that most tickets sold were for a three-day event, determining the value of refunds for a single day poses a challenge.
The same loose manhole cover also damaged Esteban Ocon’s Alpine. Despite these setbacks, the practice eventually concluded with Charles Leclerc leading Ferrari’s performance, followed closely by teammate Sainz. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, and others like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton also posted their times.
This event marks Las Vegas’s first F1 race since 1982. Amidst the chaos, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff had a heated exchange with a journalist during a press conference, defending the event and criticizing the negativity around the manhole cover issue.
Over £500m has been invested by F1 in preparing for this grand prix, including constructing the largest pit building in F1 and developing the track. This investment is part of a 40-year effort to bring F1 back to Las Vegas, with strong support from local casinos.
Despite F1’s involvement in track construction, the FIA bears the responsibility for safety checks, which were completed before practice began.
The incident with the manhole cover wasn’t the first of its kind in F1 history, with similar events occurring in previous Grand Prix like Azerbaijan and Monaco. Drivers like George Russell and Lewis Hamilton shared their experiences of the circuit, noting its challenging nature and the difficulties in adjusting to the race timings.
In conclusion, while the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises excitement and is a significant milestone for the sport, the initial practice sessions highlighted the need for stringent safety measures and efficient coordination, especially in high-stakes street circuits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Las Vegas Grand Prix
What Happened During the Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice Sessions?
The first practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix was disrupted by a loose manhole cover, causing significant damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. The incident led to the cancellation of the session and a delayed start of the second session, with the track facing logistical issues and safety concerns.
Why Was There a Delay in the Second Practice Session?
The second practice session started late due to the earlier incident involving a loose manhole cover and subsequent safety checks. This delay resulted in almost empty stands as fan areas had been closed earlier, based on logistical considerations for fans and staff.
How Did Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff React to the Situation?
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, expressed frustration during a press conference. He defended the event against criticisms about its impact on F1’s image, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and downplaying the significance of the manhole cover incident.
Were There Any Other Incidents During the Practice Sessions?
Yes, Esteban Ocon’s Alpine was also damaged after hitting the same manhole cover. This added to the complications of the day, reflecting the need for more thorough safety measures on the new street circuit.
What Are the Financial Implications of the Las Vegas Grand Prix for F1?
F1 has invested over £500 million in preparations for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, including the construction of the largest pit building on the F1 calendar. This grand prix is seen as a culmination of a 40-year effort to host a race in Las Vegas and is expected to yield significant financial benefits, particularly from the local casinos.
How Did Other Drivers Respond to the Circuit Conditions?
Drivers like George Russell and Lewis Hamilton commented on the circuit’s challenging nature. Russell mentioned the difficulty in adjusting to the race timings, while Hamilton described the circuit as fast, fun, and challenging, with limited overtaking opportunities due to low grip and the nature of the track.
More about Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Las Vegas Grand Prix Overview
- Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari Incident
- Toto Wolff’s Press Conference Reaction
- Esteban Ocon’s Alpine Damage
- F1’s Investment in Las Vegas Grand Prix
- Driver Reactions to Las Vegas Circuit
6 comments
Lewis always gives such insightful comments, saying the circuit is fast and fun but challenging, shows his experience
wow, sounds like a total mess at the Las Vegas GP, these manhole covers should’ve been checked, right?
Esteban Ocon’s luck, man, hitting the same manhole as Sainz, talk about bad luck, hope Alpine can bounce back quick!
Toto’s reaction was a bit over the top, don’t you think? he always defends Mercedes but this time, it’s not just about one team
they spent 500m on this? and still had such issues, unbelievable, F1 really needs to up their game in organising these street circuits
First time hearing about a manhole causing problems in a race. is this common in F1?