Ferrari furious after damage to Carlos Sainz's car during abandoned practice in Las Vegas

First practice session cancelled after just nine minutes when a manhole cover became loose

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz climbs out of his car after he stopped on track with damage during the first practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday, November 16, 2023, in Las Vegas. AP

The car of Carlos Sainz is removed from the circuit on a truck after stopping on track during practice. AFP

Debris from the car of Carlos Sainz's Ferrari after stopping on track during first practice. Getty

Ferrari's team principal Frederic Vasseur listens to his technical team after Carlos Sainz's car was damaged during practice. AFP

Stewards use a crane to remove the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz. Reuters

A truck removes Carlos Sainz's Ferrari from the track. Getty

Carlos Sainz returns to the pit after an accident during the first practice session. AFP

Ferrari crew return Carlos Sainz's car to the garage after it was damaged during first practice. AFP

Ferrari were left furious after Carlos Sainz's car was damaged during first practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix when he hit a loose manhole cover, causing the session to be abandoned after just nine minutes of racing.

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."

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 are on Thursday night, we have an FP1 that we are not doing, they are going to seal the rain covers and nobody is going to talk about that anymore tomorrow morning," said the German.

"It's completely ridiculous. How can you even dare try to talk bad about an event that sets new standards in everything? You are talking about a drain over that has been undone, that has happened before and is nothing."

"Between the FIA and the track everybody needs to analyze how we can make sure this doesn't happen again but talking about a black-eye for the sport on a Thursday evening, nobody watches that in European time anyway."

Esteban Ocon's Alpine also suffered damage and the team were forced to begin changing the chassis on his car.

A similar incident occurred at the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when George Russell, then racing for Williams, had his car hit by a loose manhole cover and the first practice session was cancelled.

Thursday's opening practice was the first time the new circuit had been raced upon.