F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Practice times as Carlos Sainz ...
F1’s highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix on the world-famous strip began in disastrous fashion as the first practice session had to be abandoned to fix a loose manhole cover.
F1 is returning to Vegas for the first time in 41 years for a 50-lap race around the picturesque 3.8-mile, 17-turn circuit. The race has a 10-year contract and will take place under the lights on Saturday night in Sin City.
But the first session of F1’s newest event had only been going for eight minutes before Carlos Sainz’s car stopped on the lengthy Vegas strip. Replays show his Ferrari car, at speeds of over 200mph, went over a loose drain cover before the Spaniard veered to the side and stopped the car due to substantial floor damage, and Ferrari were furious.
A red flag was thrown and, shortly afterwards, the stewards announced the session would not resume. FP2 was delayed for more than two hours while the circuit was made safe, before the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Sainz topped the timings, with Max Verstappen only sixth.
Follow live updates from the Las Vegas Grand Prix with The Independent and check the latest F1 odds and tips here.
F1 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYINGQualifying in Vegas is at 8am (GMT)
George Russell fastest in third practice; Piastri 2nd; Sargeant 3rd
NEWS: F1 fail to apologise or issue refunds to Las Vegas fans: ‘It happens’
The Las Vegas Grand Prix descended into chaos on day one
A loose drain cover resulted in first practice being cancelled
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Carlos Sainz’s car
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks06:09 , Kieran Jackson
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.
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks
FP3 RESULTS IN FULL05:55 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell fastest in FP305:42 , Kieran Jackson
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
George Russell fastest in FP305:29 , Kieran Jackson
It’s quite the top-three at the end of proceedings here!
George Russell has gone fastest with a 1:34:093, three-tenths quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in second.
And who’s in third? Williams’ American driver Logan Sargeant, five-tenths off Russell!
Max Verstappen is in fourth - he incidentally narrowly avoided colliding with Albon’s tyre at the end there.
5-10: Perez, Albon, Alonso, Hamilton, Bottas, Magnussen.
Lando Norris down in P11.
Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz ended in 16th and 17th, though only ran the medium tyres in those closing moments of the session.
Roll on qualifying!
Alex Albon’s tyre flies off!05:26 , Kieran Jackson
RED FLAG!
Alex Albon went in too hot and clipped the wall, with his left rear tyre leaping off his Williams car!
That’s it for the session - with just five minutes left and a tyre on the side of the track, it will not resume.
George Russell goes fastest05:23 , Kieran Jackson
A Mercedes now at the top! George Russell sets the new fastest time with a 1;34:491, 0.094 secs ahead of Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman looked set to beat it with a fastest first sector before locking up at turn 12!
Less than 10 minutes to go. Logan Sargeant is in a shock P2 spot.
Current top-10: Russell, Sargeant, Verstappen, Albon, Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Magnussen, Norris, Hulkenberg
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez now top of the leaderboard05:11 , Kieran Jackson
Red Bull have stolen a march here - Max Verstappen has gone P1 with a 1:34:653, while Sergio Perez is second - 0.215 secs further back.
Alex Albon is an impressive third for Williams.
4-10: Sainz, Sargeant, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Alonso, Gasly
20 mins to go. The Mercedes duo finally getting things going on soft tyres now...
(Getty Images)
Max Verstappen best of the rest behind Ferrari04:59 , Kieran Jackson
The world champion does go out on track and sets the third quickest time - a 1;36:172 - but still two-tenths off Leclerc in first
Carlos Sainz has cut the gap to P1 to 0.031 secs. Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg is fourth.
5-10: Hulkenberg, Gasly, Sargeant, Ocon, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell down in 18th and 19th, but are yet to put the soft tyres. ,
Qualifying simulation laps should be coming right up now! 30 mins to go...
Ferrari one-two at the top again!04:46 , Kieran Jackson
All the drivers looking a little more assured out on track after a number of lock-ups late last night!
Charles Leclerc has set the quickest time with a 1:36:508 early on, and his team-mate Carlos Sainz is five-tenths back in second.
3-10: Magnussen, Bottas, Piastri, Hamilton, Russell, Stroll, Norris, Zhou
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez amongst the drivers yet to leave the pit lane...
FP3 underway!04:38 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway with the third and final practice session of the weekend!
Who can set the final benchmark before qualifying later?
(Getty Images)
Five minutes from third practice!04:25 , Kieran Jackson
Let’s hope for a smooth day of running today - but somehow I find that difficult to envisage!
Who can set the final benchmark for qualifying later on?
(Getty Images)
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Carlos Sainz’s car04:14 , Kieran Jackson
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was scathing of Formula 1 after Carlos Sainz’s car was substantially damaged mere minutes into practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1’s newest race started in farcical fashion on Thursday night after first practice was stopped following just eight minutes due to a loose drain cover on the Vegas strip section of the circuit.
Sainz’s Ferrari car drove over the manhole at more than 200mph, causing damage to the floor. The Spaniard stopped his car on the side of the track.
To add salt to the wounds, the damage sustained resulted in Sainz taking an extra power unit, thereby exceeding his season’s allocation. He will receive a penalty, yet to be determined, for the race on Saturday night.
Vasseur labelled the incident “unacceptable” in the team principals’ press conference afterwards.
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car
What is the race schedule?04:06 , Kieran Jackson
(All times GMT)
Saturday 18 November
Free practice 3: 4:30am
Qualifying: 8am
Sunday 19 November
Race: 6am
F1 fail to apologise or issue refunds to Las Vegas fans: ‘It happens’03:58 , Kieran Jackson
Formula 1 failed to apologise or issue refunds to fans after they witnessed just eight minutes of cars on track before being told to leave on a farcical opening day in Las Vegas.
As opposed to a refund, all single-day ticket holders have instead been offered a $200 voucher for the Las Vegas Grand Prix official shop.
Those with full weekend, three-day tickets won’t be reimbursed in any way for Thursday night’s lost action.
Full detail below:
‘It happens’: F1 fail to apologise or issue refunds to Las Vegas fans
03:00 , Karl Matchett
It was billed as the glistening jewel in Formula One’s crown. In all but name, this was the new Monaco. But the biggest race on the sport’s 2023 calendar – the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on the streets of Sin City – descended into a total disaster on opening night.
Even for the entertainment capital of the world, nobody could have conjured up this story of incompetence.
Make no mistake: this was a shambles. A complete and utter shambles. What started with Carlos Sainz’s car substantially damaged by a loose water valve cover just after 8.30pm on Thursday night ended at 4am on Friday morning in front of empty grandstands, with fans instructed at 1.30am to head for the exits. Put out of their misery, they trudged home having seen just eight minutes of cars on track. For two men with their heads exhaustingly bowed downwards on a fan zone table, it was finally home time. A refund must surely be imminent.
F1, so we were told, had left no stone unturned in preparation for this racing extravaganza. A new $500m pit building was built. Unlike their previous forgettable experience in Vegas back in the 1980s, they had cajoled all the major casinos and hotels into a favourable position. The third of three races in the United States this year, the Netflix-inspired American audience waited eagerly for action to commence. But for all the relentless marketing, self-promotion and hype, the fundamental basics of the sport were ruefully ignored here.
A day on from an opening ceremony which made three-time world champion Max Verstappen feel like a “clown”, confusion immediately reigned when Sainz pulled his Ferrari car over on the Vegas strip, eight minutes into the first of two practice sessions scheduled.
Kieran Jackson in Las Vegas:
F1 enters new Las Vegas dawn with disaster on opening night
Las Vegas GP - F1 latest02:00 , Karl Matchett
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.
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks
Las Vegas GP - F1 latest01:00 , Karl Matchett
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, we take a look at the key questions surrounding the farcical opening to this weekend’s maiden race on the Las Vegas strip.
Key questions surrounding farce which saw Las Vegas Grand Prix practice halted
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 23:58 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was scathing of Formula 1 after Carlos Sainz’s car was substantially damaged mere minutes into practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1’s newest race started in farcical fashion on Thursday night after first practice was stopped following just eight minutes due to a loose drain cover on the Vegas strip section of the circuit.
Sainz’s Ferrari car drove over the manhole at more than 200mph, causing damage to the floor. The Spaniard stopped his car on the side of the track.
To add salt to the wounds, the damage sustained resulted in Sainz taking an extra power unit, thereby exceeding his season’s allocation. He will receive a penalty, yet to be determined, for the race on Saturday night.
Vasseur labelled the incident “unacceptable” in the team principals’ press conference afterwards.
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 23:00 , Karl Matchett
Formula One bosses were facing up to one of the most embarrassing days in the sport’s recent history after practice for the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix was completed at 4am in an empty arena.
After months of hype leading up to the £500million race, the first running was abandoned with just eight minutes on the clock.
Second practice was then delayed by two and a half hours, and played out in front of vacant grandstands after furious fans were ejected to comply with local laws.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the order, with Max Verstappen sixth and Lewis Hamilton ninth, but the event - billed by F1 chiefs as the greatest show on earth - dramatically unravelled more than seven hours previously.
Ferrari duo top FP2 after chaotic night at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 22:00 , Karl Matchett
Sparks were seen flying from Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari as the first practice session for the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix descended into chaos.
Thursday night’s practice (16 November) was cancelled after just nine minutes when Sainz hit a broken drain cover, damaging his car.
CCTV footage from the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, which overlooks the track, shows the moment the Ferrari driver ran over the manhole.
Sainz has been handed a 10-place grid penalty for the incident, and his car required repairs ahead of the second practice session, which took place in the early hours of Friday morning.
Watch: Sparks fly as Sainz’s Ferrari hits drain cover on Las Vegas F1 circuit
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 21:00 , Karl Matchett
It was billed as the glistening jewel in Formula One’s crown. In all but name, this was the new Monaco. But the biggest race on the sport’s 2023 calendar – the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on the streets of Sin City – descended into a total disaster on opening night.
Even for the entertainment capital of the world, nobody could have conjured up this story of incompetence.
Make no mistake: this was a shambles. A complete and utter shambles. What started with Carlos Sainz’s car substantially damaged by a loose water valve cover just after 8.30pm on Thursday night ended at 4am on Friday morning in front of empty grandstands, with fans instructed at 1.30am to head for the exits. Put out of their misery, they trudged home having seen just eight minutes of cars on track. For two men with their heads exhaustingly bowed downwards on a fan zone table, it was finally home time. A refund must surely be imminent.
F1, so we were told, had left no stone unturned in preparation for this racing extravaganza. A new $500m pit building was built. Unlike their previous forgettable experience in Vegas back in the 1980s, they had cajoled all the major casinos and hotels into a favourable position. The third of three races in the United States this year, the Netflix-inspired American audience waited eagerly for action to commence. But for all the relentless marketing, self-promotion and hype, the fundamental basics of the sport were ruefully ignored here.
A day on from an opening ceremony which made three-time world champion Max Verstappen feel like a “clown”, confusion immediately reigned when Sainz pulled his Ferrari car over on the Vegas strip, eight minutes into the first of two practice sessions scheduled.
Yet replays quickly showed that the Spaniard had not made a mistake. He had instead run over a loose manhole cover, triggering a complete failure of the engine. The floor of the car was also badly damaged and, frankly, he was lucky the car did not spear off into the wall.
With safety coming first – and every drain cover now needing to be double-checked on the strip section of the circuit – the session was cancelled. To add salt to the wounds, Sainz was later given a grid penalty due to taking a new gearbox as a result of the incident. Sometimes, common sense fails to prevail.
F1 enters new Las Vegas dawn with disaster on opening night
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 20:00 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was scathing of Formula 1 after Carlos Sainz’s car was substantially damaged mere minutes into practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1’s newest race started in farcical fashion on Thursday night after first practice was stopped following just eight minutes due to a loose drain cover on the Vegas strip section of the circuit.
Sainz’s Ferrari car drove over the manhole at more than 200mph, causing damage to the floor. The Spaniard stopped his car on the side of the track.
To add salt to the wounds, the damage sustained resulted in Sainz taking an extra power unit, thereby exceeding his season’s allocation. Vasseur labelled the incident “unacceptable” in the team principals’ press conference afterwards.
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 19:02 , Karl Matchett
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 were forced to put a new engine in Sainz’s car 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”.
Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas GP
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 18:08 , Karl Matchett
Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve married his partner in the Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock on Thursday night (16 November).
The official F1 Las Vegas X/Twitter account confirmed the news on 17 November, sharing photos of the couple, with the caption: “Married in Vegas: F1 style.”
A few days before the wedding, F1 also released a short clip of the chapel created inside the circuit featuring the slogan “Race to the Altar”.
Couples and race fans can now say “I do” at the chapel through a special wedding package.
The space is embellished with racing-themed decorations and the couples that do get a chance to get married there will be presented with a bouquet of roses inspired by racing cars.
Former F1 champion gets married in Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 17:13 , Karl Matchett
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.”
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 16:21 , Karl Matchett
The grandstands at F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix were close to empty during Thursday night’s (16 November) chaotic practice.
Session one was cancelled after just nine minutes when a broken drain cover damaged Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.
The second practice was subsequently pushed back by over two hours, as officials worked to inspect the track.
By the time drivers returned to the circuit - around 2:30am local time on Friday morning, the grandstands were empty.
A statement from F1 confirmed that all fan areas were closed at 1:30am - before the second session started - “due to logistical considerations for our fans and our staff”.
Watch the video here.
Las Vegas GP - F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 15:24 , Karl Matchett
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, we take a look at the key questions surrounding the farcical opening to this weekend’s maiden race on the Las Vegas strip.
The key questions surrounding the farce which halted the action in Sin City
F1 enters new Las Vegas dawn with total disaster on opening nightFriday 17 November 2023 14:40 , Karl Matchett
It was billed as the glistening jewel in Formula 1’s crown. In all but name, this was the new Monaco. But the biggest race on the sport’s 2023 calendar – the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on the streets of Sin City – descended into a total disaster on opening night.
Even for the entertainment capital of the world, nobody could have conjured up this story of incompetence.
Make no mistake: this was a shambles. A complete and utter shambles. What started with Carlos Sainz’s car substantially damaged by a loose water valve cover just after 8:30pm on Thursday night ended at 4am on Friday morning in front of empty grandstands, with fans instructed at 1:30am to head for the exits. Put out of their misery, they trudged home having seen just eight minutes of cars on track. For two men with their heads exhaustingly bowed downwards on a fan zone table, it was finally home time. A refund must surely be imminent.
F1, so we were told, had left no stone unturned in preparation for this racing extravaganza. A new $500m pit building was built. Unlike their previous forgettable experience in Vegas back in the 1980s, they had cajoled all the major casinos and hotels into a favourable position. The third of three races in the United States this year, the Netflix-inspired American audience waited eagerly for action to commence. But for all the relentless marketing, self-promotion and hype, the fundamental basics of the sport were ruefully ignored here.
Kieran Jackson from Las Vegas:
F1 enters new Las Vegas dawn with disaster on opening night
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracksFriday 17 November 2023 14:20 , Karl Matchett
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.
Here are five previous occasions when F1 has been disrupted in this way.
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Carlos Sainz’s carFriday 17 November 2023 14:00 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was scathing of Formula 1 after Carlos Sainz’s car was substantially damaged mere minutes into practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1’s newest race started in farcical fashion on Thursday night after first practice was stopped following just eight minutes due to a loose drain cover on the Vegas strip section of the circuit.
Sainz’s Ferrari car drove over the manhole at more than 200mph, causing damage to the floor. The Spaniard stopped his car on the side of the track.
To add salt to the wounds, the damage sustained resulted in Sainz taking an extra power unit, thereby exceeding his season’s allocation. He will receive a penalty for the race on Saturday night.
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GPFriday 17 November 2023 13:40 , Karl Matchett
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.
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP
Las Vegas Grand Prix practice cancelled in farcical start to F1’s newest raceFriday 17 November 2023 13:20 , Karl Matchett
The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix started in farcical fashion on Thursday night as first practice was cancelled due to a loose drain cover on track.
The first session of F1’s newest event had only been going for eight minutes before Carlos Sainz’s car stopped on the lengthy Vegas strip.
Replays show his Ferrari car, at speeds of over 200mph, went over a loose drain cover before the Spaniard veered to the side and stopped the car due to substantial floor damage.
A red flag was thrown and, shortly after, the stewards announced the session would not resume - with FP2 subsequently delayed for hours too and ultimately undertaken after fans had been told to leave.
Las Vegas Grand Prix practice cancelled in farcical start to F1’s newest race
Ferrari duo top FP2 after chaotic night at Las Vegas Grand PrixFriday 17 November 2023 13:05 , Karl Matchett
Formula One bosses were facing up to one of the most embarrassing days in the sport’s recent history after practice for the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix was completed at 4am in an empty arena.
After months of hype leading up to the £500million race, the first running was abandoned with just eight minutes on the clock.
Second practice was then delayed by two and a half hours, and played out in front of vacant grandstands after furious fans were ejected to comply with local laws.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the order, with Max Verstappen sixth and Lewis Hamilton ninth, but the event - billed by F1 chiefs as the greatest show on earth - dramatically unravelled more than seven hours previously.
A water valve cover broke free from the newly laid tarmac and tore into the underbelly of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari at 210mph on the Las Vegas Boulevard. The force of the impact visibly jolted Sainz in the cockpit and, amid a flurry of white smoke and orange sparks, disabled his machine.
Ferrari duo top FP2 after chaotic night at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ 10-place grid penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas Grand PrixFriday 17 November 2023 12:40 , Karl Matchett
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 were forced to put a new engine in Sainz’s car 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”.
Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas GP
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 12:20 , Karl Matchett
A really mixed night for Ferrari - they take the top two in the timings, but at what cost? Huge damage to Sainz’s car means he was fortunate to even get back out on the track at all for FP2, while he’ll face a ten-place penalty on the grid for the race.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 12:19 , Karl Matchett
Not much separating the top three this morning (or tonight, depending on your locale):
Leclerc 1:35.265
Sainz +0.517s
Alonso +0.528s
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 12:06 , Karl Matchett
FP2 comes to a rather quiet ending and it’s as you were at the top - with the Ferrari duo sitting pretty.
Leclerc
Sainz
Alonso
Perez
Bottas
Verstappen
Hulkenberg
Stroll
Hamilton
Albon
Norris
Russell
Magnussen
Piastri
Gasly
Ocon
Tsunoda
Zhou
Ricciardo
Sargeant
Qualifying still ahead of course, but Sainz has a 10-place grid penalty to factor in.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 12:02 , Karl Matchett
Last laps!
Leclerc goes sliding through turn 16 so he won’t be improving his own time - he’s still sitting first.
The chequered flag comes out, but there are no cheers or jeers or anything else from the stands - it’s now 4am in Las Vegas and the fans have long since been sent home.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:57 , Karl Matchett
Leclerc has a moan at Zhou for holding him up. Sargeant almost goes past Hamilton but opts to pull out a little.
A yellow flag comes out for sections one and two, but then we get the all-clear again for heading into the final five minutes.
No change to the top five over the past few minutes - any late runners to have one last go?
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:51 , Karl Matchett
So we are heading towards the last ten minutes of this practice session and the Ferrari pair are top two.
Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Perez, Bottas are the top five. Hamilton is ninth, Verstappen sixth, Russell 12th, American driver Sargeant is 20th.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:42 , Karl Matchett
On board with Max Verstappen, let’s see how he goes. In sixth, ahead of the lap.
The section of turns 8 and 9 is a tricky one, according to Jenson Button, but the big long straight along the strip certainly provides for some dramatic camera footage.
Verstappen has actually just been refuelled, so this isn’t a quick lap at all, running five seconds of lag, so it’ll be another go-around before we see if he can improve his time.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:34 , Karl Matchett
Norris overshoots a left-hander but just about manages to avoid the barriers. He’s down at the bottom but started later than the rest so is just trying to set himself a flying lap now. He pushes into tenth, but probably has a bit of improving to do after a few oversteers and slides there.
Bottas is up to fourth - didn’t get to see his lap but clearly going nicely.
27 minutes remaining of FP2.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:30 , Karl Matchett
Martin Brundle is enjoying himself down trackside for Sky Sports F1:
“It reminds me of Silverstone only faster - it’s 200mph, sparking away as they take to a little curve on turn 17. It’s unbelievable with the track on the side of the pit lane and they are pounding through flat-out.
“If you have an incident here you’d need a dustpan and brush to pick the car up, there’s no room at all.
“The lighting is extremely good around this track, there are no particular dark spots and the track looks very visible for drivers and fans alike.
“Drivers must love this corner. I like the Ferraris, their Vegas livery looks good out on track.”
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:26 , Karl Matchett
Sainz top, Alonso and Leclerc behind him, Hamilton and Albon then Perez - six of them, a third of a second apart.
And then Max Verstappen renders the entire sentence redundant by posting his, and the session’s, fastest time - 1:36.307.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:21 , Karl Matchett
Ocon goes through into ninth.
Yellow flag comes out - then a green flag immediately after. Albon locked up briefly and he’s needing a tyre change by the looks. He has been on soft, but appears to have another set remaining. He’s up in third at present, with 41 minutes remaining.
Fernando Alonso sets fastest pace - 1:36.657.
Less than a tenth of a second covers the top five right now, with neither Red Bull car among that group.
The key questions surrounding the farce which halted the action in Sin CityFriday 17 November 2023 11:12 , Karl Matchett
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, we take a look at the key questions surrounding the farcical opening to this weekend’s maiden race on the Las Vegas strip.
The key questions surrounding the farce which halted the action in Sin City
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:08 , Karl Matchett
Mercedes have told Sky Sports F1 that they hadn’t objected to Ferrari requesting that the Sainz penalty be waived - it’s simply not an allowance in the rules, as noted by the stewards.
An impending grid penalty for Sainz, remember.
Elsewhere, Alonso runs a decent lap to move into sixth, with Hamilton then immediately bumping him down and going third himself. Fastest of anyone in the third sector.
Now Verstappen is flying around and just about edges out Hamilton for third, but behind the Ferrari pair.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 11:01 , Karl Matchett
Lando Norris has just posted his first time - up to 12th in the early standings. His second lap takes him seventh. We’ve still got well over an hour of practice to go.
“Max is bracing already,” says Leclerc over the team radio. Bit of tactical guessing game going on already.
Carlos Sainz goes first again, 1:36.984. Almost a full second faster than the previous top lap.
(REUTERS)
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Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Vegas GPFriday 17 November 2023 10:50 , Karl Matchett
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 were forced to put a new engine in Sainz’s car 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”.
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.
Carlos Sainz handed ‘ridiculous’ penalty after drain cover crash at Las Vegas GP
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:49 , Karl Matchett
Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO:
“We were all getting a bit tired - a lot of espressos going but we’re back in action! The temperature has dropped but we’re back in the swing of things now.
“Yeah for sure [we were surprised over the grid penalty for Sainz]. That’s force majeure, nothing of their own doing and a very unique incident. I was surprised to see it and I think we need to be a bit more sporting over something like that. I was surprised to see a penalty.
“It’s unfortunate but we know with F1 there’s a lot of self-interest sometimes. I don’t know who it was, maybe someone running in competition with them. But it’s a little unfair.”
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:45 , Karl Matchett
Lando Norris did indeed box and he’s the only driver to not post a lap so far.
Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have posted the early quickest laps...just as I say that, Sainz goes through fastest with 1:38.537.
Quite some criticism that the message to fans that they had to leave trackside came so late, and so close to the action resuming.
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:43 , Karl Matchett
“Surreal” says Martin Brundle, who is trackside for Sky Sports. “There’s nobody in the grandstands but F1 cars are piling through. What’s surprising me is how well-behaved the cars are actually, the drivers are beginning to get some confidence through turn 4 after some hesitation on the way through.
“I thought I’d see some struggling on the brand new asphalt but we’re not. Soft tyres so far. It’s a bit of a feel of a lockdown race - there’s nobody around except 20 crazy drivers giving it plenty on the racetrack.”
F1 Las Vegas GP - FP2 LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:40 , Karl Matchett
Sergio Perez spins off and Fernando Alonso locks up too.
Meanwhile, despite fears earlier that his car was so badly damaged he wouldn’t be appearing in FP2, Carlos Sainz is in fact out and on the track and posts the quickest of the early times, 1:39.891.
Also worth noting Logan Sargeant is out on the track - he didn’t get out in FP1 at all, so this is his first track time.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:36 , Karl Matchett
Max Verstappen is out - he had plenty to see in the build-up of course. A few sparks fly out from behind his car but no sight of any drain covers flapping about thankfully.
Half two in the morning and we’re underway in Vegas once more.
Lando Norris has an issue and maybe be boxing quickly.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:32 , Karl Matchett
The big globe is counting down and we’re about to get restarted....finally!
Out come the first cars and let’s hope they last more than ten minutes this time. An hour and a half on the clock for this practice session, remember.
Friday 17 November 2023 10:24 , Karl Matchett
Ok so we’re closing in on a restart...although here’s a new wrinkle.
Carlos Sainz has, improbably, been handed what feels a very harsh penalty - a ten-place grid penalty in fact!
The chassis, ICE, Energy Store and Control Electronics were all changed due to the damage sustained when he went over the drain cover. Stewards rejected a request from Ferrari for a new engine without a penalty.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:20 , Karl Matchett
Fans are being told to leave now over a tannoy announcement - the stands will be empty for FP2. Which I suppose we can just call FP, since the first one basically never got started properly.
Kieran Jackson will be in attendance for us once the action finally resumes - but those remaining supporters will not be.
No fans, no action - F1 organisers tell onlookers it’s time to go home before FP2 begins (Kieran Jackson)
Las Vegas Grand Prix predictions: Formula 1 betting tips and oddsFriday 17 November 2023 10:15 , Karl Matchett
World champion Max Verstappen is odds-on to add Las Vegas to his list of grand prix conquests as he chases an 18th win of the season and sixth victory in a row after dominating the Brazilian Grand Prix a fortnight ago.
The Red Bull driver has been outspoken in his criticism of this week’s event, calling it “99% show, 1% sporting event” and branding the Vegas circuit as “not very interesting”, but will no doubt be all business when it’s time to go racing.
It will take something special to deny Verstappen victory in a city where the house usually wins. But, there are more variables with the Las Vegas Grand Prix than at any other race this season and Red Bull are unlikely to have it all their own way for the entire three days.
Here are our Las Vegas GP tips and latest odds:
Las Vegas Grand Prix predictions: Formula 1 betting tips and odds
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:10 , Karl Matchett
The dark blue Oracle Red Bull Racing overalls worn by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen over the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend will be offered in at auction later in November.
Driving his Red Bull RB19, Verstappen finished in 1st position at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix weekend in Zandvoort, in front of his home crowd, marking his 46th Grand Prix race victory.
Signed by the World Champion with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula One Team, and estimated at £60,000 - £70,000, the overalls will be sold to benefit Red Bull’s Wings for Life charity.
Other F1-related memorabilia up for auction include two of Valtteri Bottas’ helmets, a signed McLaren-Mercedes race suit worn by Jensen Button and a McLaren 620R Spider Bonnet signed by McLaren F1 drivers Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and CEO Zac Brown.
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 10:04 , Karl Matchett
Update from Kieran Jackson on the ground in Vegas: Another 30 minutes delay - so we’re on for a 2:30am start local, 10:15am UK.
Meanwhile, ESPN are among those reporting that fans are being told to go home - they won’t see any more action tonight.
Las Vegas F1: Jacques Villeneuve becomes first driver to get married in GP paddockFriday 17 November 2023 09:58 , Karl Matchett
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.
Check out the video here.
F1 latestFriday 17 November 2023 09:55 , Karl Matchett
F1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix began in disastrous fashion as the first practice session was abandoned due to a loose drain 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.
Watch the full video here!
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 09:45 , Karl Matchett
As the F1 moderator of a post-practice news conference attempted to ask Vasseur about the “bigger picture,” Vasseur refused to change the topic.
“I’m not sure the topic for me today. We had a very tough FP1 that is going to cost us a fortune,” he said. “We (messed) up the session for Carlos. We won’t be part of the FP2 for sure, we have to change the chassis for the car. It is unacceptable for F1. You would be upset in this situation.”
The moderator made a second attempt and Vasseur said: “Can I leave now? Can you ask Toto a question?” as he motioned to Mercedes principal Toto Wolff.
Even though Vasseur said “donations” were the only thing that would calm him down after the Ferrari was damaged, he joined three other team principals in praising the event and the efforts of Liberty and F1 for their efforts.
“I am still convinced it is a mega event and we have to continue,” he said.
Added Wolff: “It’s like Fred said, this is a mega spectacle. It’s going to set a new standard for the sport and that’s important. We had track action and then a drain cover became undone.”
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracksFriday 17 November 2023 09:39 , Karl Matchett
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.
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.
Five times a manhole cover stopped F1 in its tracks
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GPFriday 17 November 2023 09:35 , Karl Matchett
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.
“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.”
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP
Friday 17 November 2023 09:25 , Karl Matchett
An impressive Formula 1 drone show lit up the Las Vegas sky on Wednesday night (15 November), ahead of this weekend’s grand prix.
Spinning F1 cars were projected into the air in an impressive display which also featured the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Watch the video here!
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’Friday 17 November 2023 09:15 , Karl Matchett
At the Lusail International Circuit, home to the second iteration this weekend of Formula 1’s Qatar Grand Prix, a reminder of the country’s crowning moment glows bright in the background.
The Lusail Iconic Stadium, the 88,000-capacity golden bowl which hosted last year’s World Cup final, is less than 10 miles down the road. But with the planet’s biggest show having come and gone – with its fair share of acclaim and criticism – Qatari executives are determined to move on. A new spectacle is in town.
“We are the new World Cup for the next 10 years,” boldly stated Amro Al-Hamad, CEO of the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, earlier this year.
“Everybody [in Qatar] is now very eager to share their [World Cup] experiences with us to make sure that we deliver an even higher calibre event than the World Cup was.”
How Qatar plans to make F1 grand prix their ‘new World Cup’
Ferrari boss rages after ‘unacceptable’ drain cover wrecks Sainz’s carFriday 17 November 2023 09:05 , Karl Matchett
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur was scathing of Formula 1 after Carlos Sainz’s car was substantially damaged mere minutes into practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1’s newest race started in farcical fashion on Thursday night after first practice was stopped following just eight minutes due to a loose drain cover on the Vegas strip section of the circuit.
Sainz’s Ferrari car drove over the manhole at more than 200mph, causing damage to the floor. The Spaniard stopped his car on the side of the track.
The session was red-flagged and Vasseur labelled the incident “unacceptable” in the team principals’ press conference afterwards.
Ferrari boss rages at F1 after ‘unacceptable’ loose drain cover wrecks Sainz’s car
Las Vegas Sphere wears giant F1 helmet ahead of inaugural grand prixFriday 17 November 2023 08:55 , Karl Matchett
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.
Watch the video here!
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GPFriday 17 November 2023 08:45 , Karl Matchett
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.”
More from a very irate Toto Wolff here!
Toto Wolff launches furious defence of F1 after absurd start to Las Vegas GP
F1 Las Vegas GP LIVEFriday 17 November 2023 08:31 , Karl Matchett
Confirmation of Kieran’s earlier update - “ Practice 2 is expected to commence at 2am local time in Las Vegas. This is subject to local circuit engineering team completing the necessary works on the track.”
So for those of you watching on (or waiting on) in the UK, that will be 10am. Another hour and a half to wait!
Practice 2 is expected to commence at 2am local time in Las Vegas.
This is subject to local circuit engineering team completing the necessary works on the track.
The session will be extended to 90 minutes.#LasVegasGP #F1
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 17, 2023
Friday 17 November 2023 08:19 , Karl Matchett
Speaking on Sky Sports, former driver Martin Brundle revealed he doesn’t expect any further action after the on-track issue from FP1.
“That’s it for today from my experience,” he said. “Fixing that and checking everything else, letting it dry and making sure it won’t come out again is going to be a big job.
“Theoretically, they are going to re-open the Strip (for public use) after the F1 practice sessions. That is a very, very big issue if there are other areas like that around the track.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said on Sky: “It’s a shame that we are not allowed on track.
“They are going to have to check all the
