
Las Vegas Grand Prix session CANCELLED following Sainz red flag
Las Vegas Grand Prix session CANCELLED following Sainz red flag

A loose drain cover sparked safety concerns at the Las Vegas Grand Prix that ultimately led to FP1 being abandoned after just eight minutes of running.
It was the worst possible start for Carlos Sainz as his car came to a halt inside the first 10 minutes of the opening practice session.
Heading into the final sector, Sainz appeared to bottom out against something on track, now known to be a loose drain cover, causing his engine to cut out.
The stationary Ferrari therefore brought out an initial yellow flag, before a red soon followed to bring the first bit of action on the Strip to a shuddering halt.

Yet even with 40 minutes remaining on the clock, the stewards made the decision that there was a safety issue with the circuit that meant the session could not be resumed.
The FIA have since confirmed that they are "currently looking at an issue with a drain cover", with Esteban Ocon also sustaining damage from a similar issue.
Trying to make sense of the issue, Sky Sports' pit-lane reporter, Ted Kravitz, said: "I understand the issue is the manhole covers were secure but from what I understand about the manhole cover, it's the frame around it that's come up.
"Whether it's been sucked up by the pressure and downforce from the cars, the ground effect, or has it been damaged another way? That's what I understand.
"The manhole was bolted down but it's the surrounding furniture that's come through."
Why was Las Vegas Grand Prix FP1 cancelled?

A statement from the FIA has since confirmed: "[It was a] concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed.
"Now [we] need to check all the other manhole covers, which will take some time.
"[We] will be discussing with circuit engineering team about length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any changes to schedule."
The moment Carlos ripped the cover out pic.twitter.com/Ei7bjapdOb
— Nikhil Mistry (@nikhil02mistry) November 17, 2023
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: F1 champion addresses Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit FEARS
Related news

Horner makes budget cap jibe in ‘brutal’ F1 complaint

Brundle reveals one improvement that would make Piastri a 'mighty driver'

Brundle reveals moment frustrated Leclerc realised Ferrari mistake

Button takes thinly-veiled swipe at former F1 team
Most read

Hamilton clarifies role in high-profile Mercedes F1 departure

McLaren announce NEW F1 signing after Mercedes switch

Verstappen caught red-handed in failed Red Bull sabotage

FIA admit loophole damaged F1 competition in 2023

F1 star costs team 'quadruple his wages' in car damage
F1 Standings

Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
-
Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Australia 2023
-
Grand Prix of China 2023
-
Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
-
Miami Grand Prix 2023
-
Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
-
Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
-
AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
-
Grand Prix du Canada 2023
-
Grand Prix of Austria 2023
-
Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
-
Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
-
Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
-
Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Italy 2023
-
Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
-
Grand Prix of Japan 2023
-
Qatar Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of the United States 2023
-
Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
-
Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
-
Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
-
Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media

7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860