A track marshall inspects damage. Photo courtesy of F1.
FP1 cut short after track debacle
Nov. 17, 2023
The much-anticipated F1 race in Las Vegas took an unexpected turn on Thursday night, sending shockwaves through the racing community and leaving fans disappointed. The anticipated event turned into a real-life nightmare for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who encountered a dangerous obstacle on the track that forced stewards to cancel the practice session.
Sainz's Ferrari unexpectedly collided with a misplaced drain pipe, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. The incident not only endangered Sainz, but also raised serious concerns about the new track’s safety.
As a result of the damage, race officials were forced to call off the race for the safety of all participants and spectators. The risks involved in continuing the event without confirming the track’s integrity were deemed too high, according to stewards.
Disappointment reverberated through the in-person crowd and TV audience as attendees were informed that the Thursday night spectacle was abruptly canceled. Currently, there is no information about whether attendees will receive refunds.
Authorities swiftly launched an investigation into the incident. Track officials, in collaboration with F1 management, issued apologies to fans and assured them that measures would be taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
