Las Vegas GP Opening Practice Cut Short After Manhole Cover Comes Loose

The Las Vegas Grand Prix suffered an embarrassing start when the first practice session on the new circut was abandoned after just nine minutes of racing on Thursday due to a loose drain cover. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz had his vehicle stop after hitting the cover, resulting in a red flag and damage to the front his vehicle. After some delay organisers announced that the session would not be resumed.

"Following inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed. We now need to check all of the other manhole covers which will take some time," the International Motoring Federation (FIA) said in a statement.

"We will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule."

A second practice session was scheduled for midnight local time in Vegas and organisers faced a race against time to make the checks and any necessary repairs in time.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc had posted the fastest lap with a time of 1:40.909.

The Italian team said they were checking the damage caused to Sainz's car but said that it "seems quite extensive".

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur, clearly angry and using profanity in a news conference, there was no chance of Sainz taking part in the second session.

"We damaged completely the monocoque, the engine, the battery. I think it's just unacceptable," he said.

"It cost us a fortune. We won't be part of FP2 for sure. I think it's just unacceptable for F1 today," he added.

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff reacted with fury to a question from a reporter about whether the incident was a "black eye" for the sport's organisers.

"That is not a black eye, this is nothing. We