The controversial Las Vegas Grand Prix has been delayed after a car was damaged by a loose manhole cover.
preliminary practice round of formula One The event was stopped just eight minutes into the session when racer Carlos Sainz crashed in his Ferrari after hitting an object on Las Vegas Boulevard at approximately 200 mph.
After this, competitor Esteban Ocon’s Alpine vehicle also collided with the debris.
ferrari The damage to Sainz’s car was described as “extensive”, while Alpine said Ocon would need a new chassis.
There is no news of anyone getting injured.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: “He (Sainz) said (he) hit something on the track, and he didn’t know what it was. This is absolutely unacceptable for F1.”
Sainz’s damaged car was removed from the track. Photo: AP
Practice rounds were suspended, while the second session was delayed by two and a half hours as crews rushed to make emergency repairs.
The second practice was summarized at 2.30 pm local time (10.30 am UK time).
A spokesman for F1 governing body FIA said: “Following an inspection, a concrete frame around the manhole cover has failed.
“Now we need to check all the other manhole covers, which will take some time.”
Spectators described the disruption in posts on social media as a “bad situation”, with many also fearing for the safety of drivers taking part in the event, which cost organizers half a billion dollars to set up. Came.
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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports: “They’ll have to check all the manhole covers and weld them or do something because you can see how much damage it’s caused.
“It’s a huge shame for the fans but safety comes first. We’ve got to fix this and hopefully it won’t take too long.”
A worker attempts to repair some damage to the track. Photo: AP
It is the first time in four decades that the city has hosted a Grand Prix, with F1 officials promising the much-hyped event will be “the greatest show on Earth”.
It began with a spectacular opening ceremony attended by music stars including John Legend.
But there have also been criticisms about whether the city is a suitable location for the event.
Triple world champion Max Verstappen is among those who have raised concerns about the track, which he described as “not exciting”.
The racer also told reporters that he believed the event was “99% show and 1% game”.
Organizers have spent $500m (£402m) on the event
However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff offered a passionate defense of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“That’s not a black eye, it’s nothing,” he said. “They’re going to seal the drain covers, and tomorrow morning no one will be talking about it.
“It’s completely ridiculous, completely ridiculous. FP1 (Free Practice One) – How dare you even try to speak bad about an event that sets new standards, new standards for everything Does.”
He added, “And then you’re talking about the drain cover being removed. This has happened before, it’s nothing. This is FP1. Give credit to the guys who made this grand Prix, who have made this sport much bigger than it is.” “It ever was.”
This is not the first time that fixtures on the road have caused disruption to the game.
Jenson Button collided with a dislodged drain during practice in Monaco in 2016, while George Russell also ran over a drain cover in Azerbaijan four years ago.