P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Las Vegas Grand Prix did not have the easiest introduction when it joined the F1 calendar in 2023.
The 2023 F1 race in Las Vegas marked the first appearance of the race on the Strip Circuit, but controversies marred the event from the start. Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari caused chaos when a loose drain cover damaged his car, leading to a sudden halt of the practice session. FIA officials had to inspect and repair the problematic drainage infrastructure across the circuit, causing significant delays and disruptions to the schedule. The repairs included replacing the chassis in Sainz’s car, resulting in a 10-place grid penalty for the Sunday race. The event faced further challenges with delays and legal action due to logistical concerns about fan safety and movement out of the circuit late at night. Despite the setbacks, the second practice session was extended and successfully ran until the early hours of the morning.
