Chaos Strikes Again: Carlos Sainz Haunted by Manhole Cover Scare at F1 Las Vegas GP Practice!
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is already sending shockwaves through the racing community, and not just for its glamour and glitz! Carlos Sainz, the talented Ferrari driver, has been plunged into a whirlwind of bad memories thanks to a menacing manhole cover that resurfaced during the second practice session.
Just one year ago, Sainz faced a nightmare scenario when a loose manhole cover wreaked havoc on his Ferrari, leaving a gaping hole in the car’s floor and forcing a painful power unit change that cost him a coveted front-row start. Now, as the F1 circus returns to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the specter of that incident looms large once more.
During FP2, the session was temporarily halted not once, but twice, as trackside officials scrambled to address yet another loose cover spotted between Turns 16 and 17. “Let’s see what was the issue with the drain cover or the manhole cover, whatever that was,” Sainz remarked, clearly rattled by the déjà vu. “It doesn’t bring me very good memories, so hopefully they’re sorting it.”
The interruptions left drivers scrambling for valuable track time, a critical factor as they gear up for the all-important qualifying session. Sainz lamented the lost opportunity, stating, “Unfortunately, it took away very valuable timing for everyone, especially for me. I went out a bit late in the session and didn’t manage to put a lap on Softs in the end.”
Despite the ominous circumstances and the setback in practice, Sainz remains optimistic about the performance of his team. He and teammate Alex Albon managed to secure positions in the top five during the initial practice hour, a promising sign for Williams as they look to capitalize on the weekend. “The pace looks promising, the car balance looks okay, the tyres are a bit on the limit so quali will be tough, but I think we’re on the right track,” he assessed, eyes set firmly on the future.
As the anticipation builds for tomorrow’s qualifying, one question looms large: Will the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix go down in history as a thrilling spectacle or a cautionary tale of loose fixtures on the track? Only time will tell, but for Carlos Sainz, the ghosts of manhole covers past are all too real. Buckle up, as this race is gearing up to be a wild ride!








