The FIA stewards have officially delayed the start of the Las Vegas GP’s second practice session following the loose water drain cover incident that brought FP1 to a halt.
The cars of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon suffered significant damage after hitting a ‘water valve’ structure embedded in the track’s tarmac and which was ripped up by the cars venturi. Both teams have been forced to build up new chassis.
A thorough inspection reportedly involving approximately 40 drains located around the 6.12 km street circuit is currently underway.
The day’s second practice was due to start at midnight local time, but while FP2 has been delayed, no specific starting time for the session has yet been provided.
To compensate for the disruption suffered in FP1, it is understood that FP2 could be extended from 60 to 90 minutes.
However, the local organisers must re-open Las Vegas’ Strip and the public roads that are part of the circuit at 4am local time, which inevitably puts a cap on the starting time of FP2.
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The disruption comes in the wake of general criticism directed at Formula 1 for indulging in its ambitious racing extravaganza in Las Vegas and in which the sport has heavily invested.
In the wake of Thursday’s incident, when it was suggested in the team principals’ media conference that F1 had perhaps directed too much of its attention towards the event’s promotion and not enough towards essential aspects such as the track’s safety, McLaren boss Zak Brown pushed back on such a perception.
"I think first of all, anytime you have an incident, first we've got to fix it," Brown said. “And then look back and go: 'How did it happen?', whether that's a track issue or a problem you have with your car or whatever the case may be.
"I think it would be unfair and quick to judge that corners were cut. This has happened before.
"I don't think it's because effort wasn't put in or corners were cut. It's just somehow they got it wrong.
"Right now, we just need to focus on fixing it. I'm sure it was an engineering related issue that they'll get solved."
A loose manhole or drain cover isn’t a fist for Formula 1. The situation recalled the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when George Russell’s Williams sustained heavy damage after hitting a loose drain cover in practice.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also minimized Thursday's incident, suggesting it was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
“That is not a ‘black eye’ – this is nothing,” he said. “We are Thursday night, we have a free practice session one that we’re not doing. They’re going to seal the drain covers and nobody’s going to talk about that tomorrow morning anymore.
“It’s FP1 – how can you even dare trying to talk bad about an event that sets new standards to everything?
“You’re speaking about a fucking drain cover that’s been undone, that has happened before. 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.”
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