P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Martin Brundle says problems with manhole covers at the Las Vegas Grand Prix are “very embarrassing” and a “slap in the face” for F1.
The return of F1 to Las Vegas has been marred by a chaotic start, as first practice had to be cancelled after Carlos Sainz hit a loose manhole cover and caused damage to his Ferrari. Esteban Ocon also suffered from running over the cover in his Alpine car. FP2 has been delayed for ongoing repairs, with plans to resume track action on Friday at 10am UK time. Martin Brundle expressed embarrassment at the situation and highlighted the recurring problem of loose covers on street circuits. He also suggested that the issue should have been resolved beforehand and expressed concern about potential grid penalties for Sainz. The balance between commercial duties and safety was raised, as Brundle emphasized the need for an engineered solution to be deemed safe for all involved. He speculated on the difficulty of finding a quick fix and proposed that perhaps they should have stopped, fixed the problem, and scheduled more running for the following day.
