- Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari takes major hit from below
- FIA checking safety of all manholes on street circuit
The opening practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was abandoned after only eight minutes after Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari was struck with a severe and dangerous impact by drain cover. More than one drain cover is understood to have been dislodged and the FIA are now having to check the safety of all them across the street circuit to confirm their integrity.
The incident was an embarrassing opening to the race Formula One’s owners are organising and promoting themselves with the aim of building the sport in the US – a market in which it is eager to expand. The costs of putting on the meeting in the heart of Las Vegas are believed to reach as much as US$700m. F1 described the incident as the failure of a “water-valve cover”.