Formula One’s gamble to bring the sport back to Las Vegas backfired on a shambolic opening night in Sin City. After months of build-up to an event – billed by F1 executives as the greatest show on earth – practice was abandoned after just eight minutes. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the key questions surrounding the farcical opening to this weekend’s maiden race on the Las Vegas strip. What happened? As Carlos Sainz approached 200mph on the Las Vegas Boulevard, a water valve cover broke free from the tarmac and tore into the underbelly of his Ferrari. The force of the impact visibly jolted Sainz in the cockpit and, amid a flurry of white smoke and orange sparks, disabled his machine. Race director Niels Wittich red-flagged the session, but not before Esteban Ocon also struck the debris. The one-hour running, which began at 8:30pm local time was suspended at 8:38pm. At 8:49pm it was announced it would not be resumed. Were the drivers hurt? Both Sainz and Ocon escaped without injury – but their cars were severely damaged. A giant whole tore through Sainz’s Ferrari leaving his mechanics facing an extensive repair job. Ocon required a new chassis, but he was able to take part in second practice. How did the FIA respond? All 30 manhole covers along the 1.2-mile 210mph Las Vegas Boulevard were inspected. The covers were removed, and the holes filled with concrete and quick-drying resin. The FIA’s standard procedure is to seal or weld the manholes but that process failed in Las Vegas. Second practice had originally been scheduled to start at midnight local time. But it was pushed back to 2am, and then 2:15am before the cars eventually rolled out at 2:30am in front of empty grandstands, with fan areas closed at 1.30am. A two-hour window is required to reopen the public roads at 6am in Sin City, meaning the running had to cease at 4am. Has anything like this happened before? 99 per cent show, and one per cent sport Max Verstappen's assessment of the Las Vegas Grand Prix The problems of loose manhole covers at street venues is not a new one. Jenson Button struck a dislodged drain in practice in Monaco in 2016, while George Russell also ran over a drain cover in Azerbaijan four years ago. But the embarrassing failure in Las Vegas comes 48 hours after a Superbowl-like opening ceremony, and a day after triple world champion Max Verstappen called the staging of the Grand Prix – the first here in four decades and maiden event on the strip – as “99 per cent show, and one per cent sport”. What did they say? A furious Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur labelled the chaos as “unacceptable” following millions of dollars of damage to Sainz’s car. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff launched a wild and ill-judged defence. “This is not a black eye (for F1),” said Wolff. “This is nothing. We are on a Thursday night – a free practice session that we are not doing – and nobody is going to talk about that tomorrow. “It is completely ridiculous. How can you even dare to talk back about an event that sets the new standard? You are speaking about a f****** drain cover that has been undone. It is nothing!” Read More Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title On this day in 2010: Sebastian Vettel becomes youngest ever F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton ‘counting down days’ to end of season after another poor race Max Verstappen thwarts Lando Norris’ bid for first F1 win with sprint victory On this day in 2015: Susie Wolff ends her bid to get on an F1 starting grid Lando Norris ‘gutted’ to miss out on Brazilian GP pole after McLaren blunder

An incident with a manhole cover that damaged Carlos Sainz’s car on the Las Vegas Grand Prix track is “just unacceptable”, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur has said. The first practice session on Thursday night (16 November) was cancelled after just nine minutes when Sainz hit a drain cover that had come loose. Vasseur said the car suffered a damaged chassis, engine and battery in the incident, and would miss the second practice session. “I think it is just unacceptable,” he told Sky Sports F1 in the team principal news conference.

The snake-bitten Las Vegas Grand Prix descended into further farce in the early hours of Friday morning as fans were sent home just an hour before the much-delayed second free practice session got underway. F1’s return to Vegas could hardly have been more disastrous as the first practice session was abandoned due to a loose drain cover. FP1 had only been going for eight minutes when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari rolled to a stop on the ‘Sin City’ strip, having suffered substantial floor damage. LIVE! Follow the ongoing farce at the Las Vegas Grand Prix with our blog Driving at speeds of over 200mph, Sainz went over the loose drain cover before veering to the side and stopping the car after the impact, leaving Ferrari furious at the damage caused. To add salt to the wound, the Spaniard was then issued a 10-place grid penalty for making changes to his car following the loose drain incident. The issue caused huge delays to the schedule as frantic work ensued to ensure the track was safe, with FP2 – which was originally supposed to get underway at 12am local time (8am GMT) – delayed until 2am (10am GMT) and then pushed back a further 30 minutes. Yet it was only at 1.30am in Vegas that an announcement finally came over the tannoy, officially sending fans home from the venue due to “logistical considerations”, meaning FP2 resumed with the backdrop of eerily empty stands. Regarding the initial drain cover issue, F1’s governing body the FIA stated: “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. “We will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule.” FP2 was extended to 90 minutes to allow teams more track time but the variety of issues seemed to only confirm the viewpoint of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who launched a scathing rebuke of the event earlier this week – calling it “99 per cent show, 1 per cent sporting event” and “you just look like a clown” after being introduced to the crowd at a lavish opening ceremony on Wednesday. Read More Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas GP Jacques Villeneuve becomes first F1 driver to get married in paddock at Las Vegas GP Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks

Carlos Sainz has been handed a 10-place grid penalty after his Ferrari required repairs when striking a manhole cover during the chaotic first practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Free practice 1 was halted after just nine minutes in Nevada in a farcical start to Formula 1’s return to Sin City, with second practice also delayed. Ferrari have been forced to put a new engine into Sainz’s vehicle and change the chassis after the incident. And stewards have levied a grid penalty against the Spanish driver, despite a request from the Italian team to not punish their installation of a new engine given the “highly unusual external circumstances”. LIVE! Follow updates from the Las Vegas Grand Prix Though conceding that Ferrari were not at fault, the race stewards said in a statement that they had to enforce “the regulations as they are written”, and thus punish Sainz. The statement continued: “Accordingly, the mandatory penalty specified under Article 28.3 of the Sporting Regulations must be applied. “The Stewards note that if they had the authority to grant a derogation in what they consider in this case to be mitigating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances, they would have done so, however the regulations do not allow such action.” The action is set to resume in front of empty stands with spectators sent home after FP2 was delayed. Speaking on Sky Sports, expert analyst Karun Chandhok described the punishment for a battery change caused by the circuit as “ridiculous”. “I don’t think there’s been precedent and therefore there could have been a dispensation signed by all the other teams.” Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, added: “I know it’s a regulation but can not all the teams agree that they should get a pass?” Read More Las Vegas GP resumes in front of empty stands as fans sent home at 1:30am Watch: Sainz hits loose drain cover on Las Vegas track as F1 practice turns to chaos Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP

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Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve married his partner in the Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock on Thursday night (16 November). A wedding chapel was set up so anybody tempted to tie the knot in Sin City could “Race to the Altar” - and Villeneuve took full advantage. His partner Giulia wore a stunning dress for the occasion and the happy couple were then seen posing for photos. Villeneuve’s former Williams engineer, Jock Clear, was best man as the 1997 world champion became the first - and likely last - F1 driver to get married on the track. His wedding came hours before a chaotic first practice session was cancelled. Read More Sainz hits loose drain cover on Las Vegas track as F1 practice session turns to chaos Las Vegas Sphere wears giant F1 helmet ahead of inaugural grand prix F1 cars projected into sky as drone show lights up Las Vegas ahead of grand prix

The first day of action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was called to an abrupt halt after a loose drain cover forced Formula 1 officials to cancel the opening practice session. The much-trumpeted return to ‘’Sin City” could hardly have got off to a worse start, with Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari suffering damage after the cover came free as the Spaniard piloted his car around the street circuit. Alpine have also been forced to repair damage to the chassis of Esteban Ocon‘s car in a farcical start to proceedings in Nevada. Manhole covers are meant to be welded in place before the start of every grand prix. Second practice has been delayed while the drain covers and manholes on the track are inspected by officials, but it is not the first time that they have caused Formula 1 trouble. Here are five previous occasions when F1 has been disrupted in this way. George Russell, Baku 2019 It was only four years ago that George Russell ran into similar bother in Baku, the damage caused to his Williams forcing free practice one at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to be abandoned. The cover, between turns two and three of the capital city circuit, appeared to have been loosened by Charles Leclerc earlier in the session. Russell’s chassis had to be replaced, leaving him unable to participate in FP2. Romain Grosjean, Malaysia 2017 Romain Grosjean (Haas) was the unfortunate party in Malaysia in 2017, his rear tyre sliced by a manhole cover dislodged by Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen. The team subsequently received compensation from the circuit. Valtteri Bottas, Baku 2016 Baku again... Bottas himself had a brush with a cover in his final season at Williams. The Finn was on his way back into the pits at the 2016 European Grand Prix after an installation lap in FP3 but had to sit out the rest of the session after striking a loose drain. Jenson Button, Monaco 2016 That Bottas blunder followed an incident for Jenson Button only two races earlier, his McLaren thrown off course in Monaco by an inspection hatch. Nico Rosberg suffered a puncture but Button’s front wing bore the brunt of the damage. Rubens Barrichello was another driver to fall foul of a cover in the principality, crashing into a wall after being thrown off course by a kerbside grate in 2010. Juan-Pablo Montoya, China 2005 And, finally, another McLaren mishap, with Juan-Pablo Montoya clipping a cover at Turn 10 in China in 2005. Montoya was able to continue with a new tyre but was subsequently forced to retire with an engine issue. Read More Las Vegas Sphere wears giant F1 helmet ahead of inaugural grand prix F1 clothing craze sweeps retailers ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 drivers have their say on $2bn giant orb lighting up Las Vegas Grand Prix Carlos Sainz breaks Netflix Cup trophy during F1 and golf crossover event F1 2023 official calendar: All 23 Grand Prix this year Celebrities and sponsors descend on Las Vegas as F1 returns to Sin City

F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix began in disastrous fashion as the first practice session on Thursday night (16 November) was abandoned due to a loose manhole cover. The session had only been going for eight minutes when Carlos Sainz’s car rolled to a stop on the Sin City strip, having suffered substantial floor damage. Onboard footage shows the moment his Ferrari, driving at speeds of over 200mph, went over the loose drain cover. Sainz veered to the side and stopped the car after the impact. A red flag was thrown and soon after, stewards announced the session would not resume. Read More Carlos Sainz breaks Netflix Cup trophy during F1 and golf crossover event Jacques Villeneuve becomes first F1 driver to get married in paddock at Las Vegas GP Luis Diaz’s father weeps in stands as his son scores days after release by kidnappers

The Las Vegas Sphere was seen wearing a Formula 1 helmet ahead of this weekend’s grand prix. A highly anticipated race will take place on the world-famous strip on Saturday night (18 November) and ahead of Thursday’s first practice session, Sin City’s newest landmark was lit up accordingly. A giant yellow emoji face was seen sporting an F1 helmet, making for a rather amusing view close to the circuit. The Sphere will also be used throughout race weekend to show driver introductions, live positions and fans around the track. Amid all the hype around the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Thursday’s practice session was cancelled over a loose manhole cover. Read More F1 cars projected into sky as drone show lights up Las Vegas ahead of grand prix Verstappen criticises Las Vegas GP as F1 stars presented in ‘Hunger Games’ reveal Harry Styles debuts shaved head on date with Taylor Russell at Las Vegas Sphere

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Toto Wolff furiously declared the drain cover incident which cancelled first practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as “nothing” in a passionate defence of Formula 1. F1’s return to Vegas for the first time in 41 years started in farcical fashion on Thursday night when FP1 was cancelled after just eight minutes. Carlos Sainz sustained significant damage to his Ferrari car after driving over the loose cover at over 200mph, with team boss Fred Vasseur raging afterwards. Asked whether the session cancellation was a “black eye” for the sport, Wolff was stern in his response. “That is not a black eye, this is nothing,” the Mercedes boss said. “It is a Thursday night. We have a free practice 1 that we’re not doing, they’re going to seal the drain covers. Nobody is going to talk about that tomorrow morning.” Yet when prompted by a journalist saying it’s “absolutely rubbish”, Wolff erupted in the team principals’ press conference. “It’s completely ridiculous,” he said. “How can you even dare talk bad about an event that sets the new standards to everything? “And then you’re speaking about a f****** drain cover that’s come undone, that’s nothing. It’s FP1, give credit to the people that have set up this grand prix. That have made this sport much bigger than it ever was. “Have you ever spoken about someone or written a good word? You should about all these people that have been out here. Liberty [F1 owners] have done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has come undone we shouldn’t be moaning. “The car is broken. That’s really a shame, for Carlos it could have been dangerous. Between the FIA and the track we need to analyse to make sure this doesn’t happen again. “But talking here about a black eye for the sport on a Thursday evening? Nobody watches that in European time anyway!” Read More Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car Las Vegas Grand Prix practice cancelled in farcical start to F1’s newest race F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and times in Sin City

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