Las Vegas Grand Prix: Turbulent Start, Sainz’s Setbacks, and Racing Drama Unfold
A tumultuous Friday unfolded in Las Vegas, marking the beginning of a highly anticipated weekend on the circuit near the famed Las Vegas Strip. The opening moments of the United States Grand Prix’s first practice session were cut short after just ten minutes due to a collision involving Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari and a raised manhole on the straight leading to the finish line.
Sainz promptly brought his car to a stop, triggering a red flag and ultimately leading to the session’s suspension. The impact resulted in significant damages to the Ferrari, including the chassis, internal combustion engine, control unit, and battery. The Ferrari team’s mechanics worked diligently to address these issues, aiming to get Sainz back on track for the subsequent maxi free practice session mandated by the FIA.
However, challenges persisted for Sainz as the FIA imposed a ten-position grid penalty for exceeding the authorized use of the allotted two battery units. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur expressed his frustration, deeming the extent of the damage “simply unacceptable.”
Despite these setbacks, Sainz found some redemption in the results of the second free practices, securing the second position on the time grid, closely following his teammate Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen faced difficulties during the second free practices, struggling to find the right rhythm and making uncharacteristic mistakes. Nevertheless, he maintained a positive race pace, building anticipation for the upcoming free practice three and qualifying on the Nevada circuit.
The incident generated significant attention, with social media capturing striking images of the collision and sparks surrounding Sainz’s Ferrari. The estimated damages, exceeding a million dollars, were compounded by the ten-grid penalty for Sainz resulting from the forced component replacement.
As Formula 1 returned to Las Vegas after a 40-year hiatus, controversy arose over the handling of the manhole incident. The FIA opted not to grant an exemption for the battery replacement, emphasizing strict adherence to regulations. The unexpected turn of events also impacted other drivers, including Ocon’s Alpine and Zohu’s Alfa, magnifying the repercussions of the disrupted practice session.
In the midst of these challenges, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff distanced himself from the controversy, downplaying its significance. The return to Las Vegas featured a unique moment as former world champion Jacques Villeneuve, son of the legendary Ferrari driver Gilles, celebrated his marriage to Giulia Marra in a chapel set up in the paddock area—an unprecedented ceremony around the circuit, adding a personal touch amidst the racing drama.