The FIA must inspect all manhole covers after the interruption of FP1
The FIA provided further information after the cancellation of the first free practice session, just 7 minutes after it started. A concrete issue around a sewer drain is the cause, right in the middle of the straight line.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix had a rookie mishap. Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari collided with something on the track, causing the driver to retire right in the middle of the straight and bringing the session to a halt.
Niels Wittich went to the scene of the accident and observed a problem with a sewer drain. The sewer drains are sealed off before the weekend, but some are clogged with concrete. Apparently, it was the concrete around a sewer drain that gave way due to the passage of certain race cars or the impact of floors against the concrete.
Following the inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that gave way. We now need to check all the other manhole covers, which will take time, confirms the FIA.
The safety procedures of the International Automobile Federation do not joke around with this kind of problem. The circuit authorities and the FIA will have to inspect all the sewer drains and find a solution to enhance safety. This might take more time than what is available before the next free practice session at 9 am French time.
We will discuss with the engineering team about the time required to solve the problem and I will inform you of any possible changes in the schedule.
The FIA can require to reschedule Free Practice 2 if the time needed to solve the problem is not sufficient.
