Ferrari insists Sainz drain cover incident ‘unacceptable’

The episode, which led to the cancellation of 1st practice for the Las Vegas GP, was “unacceptable” for Formula 1, claimed Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur.

Carlos Sainz and a team representative go to the stewards, they would seek not to be penalized for the battery change as it was a track-related issue and not a Ferrari issue.

[@giselle_zm]#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/eOguIvZcbG

— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) November 17, 2023

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The 1^st session of Formula One’s 500 million dollar new race lasted only 8 minutes before Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari dislodged a drain cover, which resulted in much damage to his bolid.

Alpine announced they must change chassis on Esteban Ocon’s bolid, having gone over the same place on the track.

The Italian team already admitted Sainz will not take part in 2^nd practice if it goes ahead, which is yet to be announced by Formula 1.

“What Sainz shared, I think it was on the [radio], ‘I struck something on the track’; he didn’t know exactly what happened. The problem is we damaged completely the monocoque, the engine, the batteries… and I think this can’t happen in Formula 1,” Vasseur shared of the incident.