Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice Halted Due to Manhole Cover Failure
Feb
The opening practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, part of Formula One, faced an abrupt cancellation within ten minutes on Thursday night, marred by a loose drain cover issue. The Motorsport governing body FIA declared the failure of a manhole cover as the reason for the interruption, emphasizing the need for a thorough inspection of all other covers, a process anticipated to be time-consuming.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz encountered the repercussions of the loose drain cover on the track, resulting in a red flag and the abandonment of the practice session. The incident led to severe damage to Sainz’s Ferrari, prompting criticism from Ferrari principal Frédéric Vasseur, who deemed the situation “unacceptable.”
Despite varying reactions from team officials, including Mercedes boss Toto Wolff downplaying the incident, the session’s cancellation impacted multiple teams. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, finishing fifth in the curtailed session, had to undergo a chassis change due to suspected drain cover damage.
The subsequent practice session commenced at 2:30 a.m. local time. Sainz received a 10-place grid penalty for the race weekend due to necessary power unit component replacements stemming from the damage.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking its return after nearly four decades, generated significant anticipation with a glitzy opening ceremony featuring performances by Kylie Minogue and John Legend. However, criticisms have surfaced, including remarks from world champion Max Verstappen, who characterized the event as “99% show, 1% sport.” Residents also voiced concerns about steep prices, traffic congestion, and obstructed views.
Despite the mixed reception, Renee Wilm, the CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, affirmed the event’s historic significance and substantial economic benefits for Southern Nevada.
