Sainz's Ferrari crash into Las Vegas drain cover disrupts F1's return, casting doubt on the event's success and Ferrari's performance.

The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix took an unexpected turn during the first practice session, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. colliding with a water valve cover, causing significant damage to his car and disrupting the session. Tempers flared as the incident led to a suspension of the practice, prompting the FIA to inspect the entire circuit for safety concerns.

The collision occurred just nine minutes into the session on Thursday night, forcing a 20-minute delay as the governing body assessed the damage and cleared the track. Video footage captured the dramatic moment, with sparks flying from Sainz's Ferrari as it continued briefly down the track after the collision.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur expressed his frustration, deeming the incident "just unacceptable." The team faced the daunting task of replacing the entire chassis and other components, jeopardizing Sainz's participation in subsequent sessions. F1 stewards summoned Ferrari to discuss potential penalties for the necessary repairs.

During a post-practice news conference, Vasseur refused to shift the focus to the "bigger picture," emphasizing the costly consequences of the incident for Ferrari. The frustration was palpable as he discussed the financial impact and the team's exclusion from the upcoming second practice session.

As the moderator attempted to steer the conversation, Vasseur's discontent was evident. "I'm not sure the topic for me today. We had a very tough FP1 that is going to cost us a fortune," he stated. The frustration continued as he dismissed attempts to discuss broader aspects of the event.

F1 veteran Toto Wolff, principal of Mercedes, also faced questions about the incident's impact on the race's return to Las Vegas after 41 years. Wolff, equally irked, dismissed the notion that the abbreviated session was an embarrassment. He downplayed the incident, asserting that the drain covers would be sealed, and the issue would be forgotten by the following morning.

However, as thousands of fans poured out of the grandstands during the track repair, a reporter challenged Wolff's perspective. The Mercedes principal grew visibly angry, calling the criticism "completely ridiculous." He defended the event, emphasizing that such incidents were not uncommon in FP1 and should not overshadow the spectacle.

A statement from F1 Las Vegas attributed the incident to the failure of a single water valve cover and assured fans that efforts were underway to address the problem. The second practice, originally scheduled for midnight, faced further delays, not expected to begin before 2 a.m. local time.

The troublesome start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking F1's return to the city, raised concerns about the event's success. The race, promoted by F1 and Liberty Media, had been envisioned as a half-billion-dollar spectacle along the iconic Las Vegas Strip. However, the hype surrounding the race was dampened by expensive tickets, high hotel rates, and local discontent over disruptions caused by months of course construction.

The 3.85-mile street circuit, weaving through a significant portion of the Strip and passing iconic landmarks, faced logistical challenges due to its daytime use for traffic. The FIA could only inspect and approve the track for racing early Thursday morning, after an overnight closure. The initial inspection began around 3:30 a.m., adhering to FIA rules requiring tracks to pass inspection one day before cars hit the track.

Despite the setbacks, Vasseur, despite jokingly suggesting "donations" as a remedy for his frustration, joined other team principals in praising the event. They commended the efforts of Liberty and F1 for creating a mega spectacle, emphasizing its potential to set a new standard for the sport.

Wolff echoed this sentiment, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the event. He acknowledged the unfortunate incident but stressed the need for a collaborative effort between the FIA and the track to prevent similar occurrences. The team principals recalled past incidents involving manhole covers in F1, emphasizing the ongoing need for improvements in track safety.