The first training run for the Las Vegas Grand Prix was stopped on Thursday evening (local time) after just eight minutes and then canceled. As the International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced, a “problem with a manhole cover” on the world-famous strip of Las Vegas Boulevard ended the first laps of the Formula 1 cars before the penultimate race of the year this Sunday (7:00 a.m. CET). FAZ live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky).
As the FIA further announced, the concrete frame of the manhole cover broke. “We now have to check all the manhole covers, that will take some time,” it said. The FIA said they wanted to discuss how long it would take to solve the problem together with the route architects and engineers. The schedule for the rest of the race weekend may have to be adjusted. It remained uncertain whether the second training session scheduled for midnight (9:00 a.m. CET) could take place.
Damage “quite extensive”
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz had previously raced along the almost two-kilometer straight past the city’s largest casinos when his car suddenly took a hit. A warning message immediately flashed on his steering wheel: “Stop, turn off the engine.” A chunk of asphalt had presumably come loose from the frame of the affected manhole cover. Training was initially interrupted. “It’s unacceptable for something like this to happen,” said the Ferrari team boss
For just a moment, the world television picture showed how some service vehicles pulled out and workers inspected the route. After eleven minutes, the race management finally announced that the training originally scheduled for one hour could not be continued.
Ferrari described the consequences for Sainz’s company car as “quite extensive” and said the engine, battery and monocoque were damaged. The damaged car was transported away with a tow truck. Alpine pilot Esteban Ocon suffered a similar fate. As Alpine announced, the chassis of the Frenchman’s car had to be changed. He too had apparently received a blow. Due to the canceled training, the remaining teams and pilots miss out on valuable time to familiarize themselves with the new slope.
Sönke Sievers, Las Vegas Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Sönke Sievers Published/Updated: , Recommendations: 2 Hermann Renner, São Paulo Published/Updated: Recommendations: 6
For the makers of the Vegas race, the manhole cover breakdown was a debacle on the first day. For the first time in forty years, the premier class is circling in the gambling city again. Formula 1 itself acts as the organizer. According to reports, she invested more than 650 million dollars (600 million euros) for this.
