Second practice session dominated by Ferrari
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 1:35.265) set the best time in the second practice session, ahead of Carlos Sainz (Ferrari, +0.517) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin, +0.528).
Sergio Pérez occupies 4th place (Red Bull, +0.820), Max Verstappen 6th (Red Bull, +0.918).
The session went without incident on the track.
10 penalty places for Sainz
It has been confirmed: Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) will receive a 10-place penalty on the starting grid for replacing his battery damaged by the collision with the manhole cover.
Although the damage is the result of a rail safety problem, regulations impose a fine for exceeding quotas on regulated routes.
Very cold temperatures, track not yet ready, falling prices… The GP under fire from critics
41 years after the last edition in 1982, this great return to Las Vegas should be a great advertisement for Formula 1 in the United States. With the projectors, the 54,000 square meter ball of LED screens, the famous High Roller wheel and the circuit route that follows the legendary Boulevard Strip, everything comes together for a gigantic American-style show. But everything is not so clear. Even before the fiasco of the first test session, interrupted after an accident with a loose manhole cover, criticism, questions and controversies arose from all sides.
Especially in the viewfinder: the unexpectedly cool weather, the slippery road open to car traffic and the paralysis of the city.
>> The Las Vegas GP under fire from critics
Finally the second session begins
As announced, the drivers have 90 minutes to familiarize themselves with the circuit.
Despite the accident caused by the track, Sainz… will be punished
Against all expectations, the FIA refused the exemption requested by Ferrari in order not to be penalized for the replacement of controlled parts damaged by the manhole cover collision. Carlos Sainz therefore receives a penalty on the starting grid.
It ends up being 11:30 am.
F1 announces that the second practice session will finally start at 11:30 am (2:30 am in Las Vegas).
New 15 minute delay
F1 now hopes that drivers will be able to take to the track for 90 minutes from 11.15am.
The second practice session takes place without an audience
Hard blow for fans who bought their tickets at an exorbitant price: the second practice session will take place without spectators due to “logistical considerations”, according to a press release from the organizers. An announcement that falls barely half an hour before the new tests.
The second training is scheduled for 11 a.m.
It’s official: if the manhole work is completed in time, the second practice session will start at 11 a.m. (2 a.m. in Las Vegas). It takes 90 minutes instead of 60.
“This decision is dependent on the necessary track work by the local circuit engineering team,” said an F1 press release.
Time is running out, the track must be reopened to traffic soon
Although nothing is official yet, there is still talk of starting the second session at 2am or 2:30am for 60 or 90 minutes (11am/11:30am Paris time). But F1 faces another constraint: Organizers have until 4am (1pm in Paris) to reopen the circuit to car traffic.
Plug the holes with cement to prevent another incident?
According to several journalists on the ground and Canal+, organizers are pouring cement into several pits (30 locations have been identified) to fill them and remove the heavy metal plates that are a problem.
Alpinebaas hopes to be able to drive in about two hours
Bruno Famin, Alpine team director, at the Canal+ microphone: “The car (Ocon’s) will be ready, we will get an exemption to drive when FP2 takes place. Normally we are not allowed to change the chassis during the day. We hope it runs. The latest information is that repairs are being carried out. We hope to drive around 2:30 am (11 or 11:30 am Paris time).
Damage confirmed for Sainz and Ocon
According to an FIA document, and as announced by Ferrari director Frédéric Vasseur, Carlos Sainz’s single-seater will undergo several changes to parts “under restriction” (whose replacements will be supervised and accounted for): the survival cell, the combustion engine, battery, power steering and electronic system. For Esteban Ocon, the survival cell also needs to be changed.
Second practice session officially postponed
The FIA formalizes the postponement of the second practice session, which was due to start at 9:00 am, and for one hour.
The new programming is not yet known.
A second training extended by 30 minutes?
According to specialist journalist Adam Cooper, the second test session, scheduled for 9am, could be extended by 30 minutes and last 1 hour and 30 minutes instead of 1 hour. Details will be provided by the FIA shortly.
Vasseur (Ferrari): “It’s simply unacceptable for F1”
Frédéric Vasseur, director of Ferrari, expressed his anger after the damage to the car of Carlos Sainz, victim of a manhole cover coming loose.
“We completely damaged the monocoque, the engine and the battery. I think it’s just unacceptable. It cost us a fortune. We ruined Carlos’ session. It’s a given that we won’t participate in FP2. “I think it’s just unacceptable for F1 today,” the French leader denounced.
>> “It is unacceptable”, Vasseur’s great anger after Sainz’s accident
Sainz hits a loose manhole cover, free training is halted in Las Vegas
The first free practice for the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas was stopped after ten minutes on Thursday due to a problem with the manhole cover. Carlos Sainz stopped after rolling over a bump, triggering the stewards’ red flag, minutes before organizers announced the session would not resume.
>> All details here
The FIA has cited a manhole cover problem. The second free practice is scheduled for Thursday at midnight Las Vegas time (9 a.m. Friday Paris time).
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) had achieved the best time before the interruption in 1 min 40 sec 909 for F1’s stunning return to Las Vegas, 41 years after the last Grand Prix contested in the gambling city.
Hello everyone!
Welcome to our live stream to follow all the information and results of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The weekend started with a huge hiccup after the first free practice on Friday was stopped after eight minutes due to a poorly secured manhole cover by Carlos Sainz.