Carlos Sainz will lose ten positions at the start of the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix. The incident with the manhole cover that flew off during the first free practice session requires a replacement of components in the Ferrari power unit, exceeding the allowed annual limit.
The Spanish driver will use the third energy storage unit, while the limit is two. As a result, he has received a ten-place grid penalty, meaning he can only hope to start from 11th position – assuming he achieves pole position on track.
It is somewhat unjust punishment for Sainz, as he could not have done anything to prevent the incident, for which he was not at fault – it was a result of track conditions. However, it is also true that the state of the track is a variable for all drivers and teams.
