Motorsport

THE Las Vegas Grand Prix hit a bump in the road before it even began when two show cars leaked oil on the track.Prior to the race, all 20 drivers were chauffeured around the circuit in retro cars.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s retro show car leaked on track before the raceCredit: Splash
Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez’s car also allegedly experienced a leakCredit: Getty
Stewards attempted to clear the spillage just an hour before the raceCredit: AP
However, just an hour before lights out, at least two of the cars began leaking oil onto the track – right at the front of the starting grid.
The 1950s-era convertible driving McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri appeared to be one of the vehicles with the issue.
A retro Mercedes-Benz coupe, which was carrying Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez around the track, also appeared to leak.
The incident resulted in a build-up of oil on the left side of the track.
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Reports claim that Max Verstappen was subsequently left furious as the spillage occurred next to his starting position.
Stewards were seen covering the patch with a powder in an attempt to limit any possible damage.
However, fans were quick to blast organisers for yet another issue with the inaugural race weekend in Vegas.
One person tweeted: “Bro #LasVegasGP getting off to a terrible start and it hasn’t even started yet. How does a parade car spill oil on the start finish.”
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Another added: “You couldn’t make this stuff up. It’s gone from the most hyped race of the calendar to the most problematic and cringe. What a mess. All I can do is facepalm.”
While a third wrote: “More issues for the #LasVegasGP Car for driver parade has dropped oil all on the track. What an absolute failure this has been.”
Discussing the potential consequences of the oil leak, Sky Sports F1 presenter Danica Patrick said: “That’s definitely unfortunate for those on the inside.
“This is going to be a loss of grip. This is very unfortunate. I don’t know what they’re going to be able to do about it.
“Are they going to be able to run cars over it before? Probably not. It’s a busy grid. This is an issue.” 
Several cars appeared to be affected by the spill at the start of the race.
The likes of Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Perez and Fernando Alonso all made contact as a result of the lack of grip on track.
A number of issues had already hampered the highly-anticipated Las Vegas GP.
There was a significant delay to the first practice session on Friday after Sainz drove over an unsealed manhole cover, causing significant damage to the floor of his car.
The session subsequently started at 2:30am local time and ended at 4am with no fans present.
Verstappen went on to win the action-packed race, with Charles Leclerc finishing second and Perez third.
But it did not go to plan for Norris, who crashed out on the third lap.
The 24-year-old collided with the barriers at around 180mph before sliding down a straight and coming to a stop at the turn 12 run-off.
He was taken to hospital but later discharged with no significant injuries.
Vegas was a hotspot for a-list celebrities on Saturday night, with the likes of David Beckham, Shaquille O’Neal, Brad Pitt, Justin Bieber, Rihanna and Paris Hilton all in attendance. More

LANDO NORRIS was rushed to the hospital after crashing his McLaren during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.The 24-year-old lost control of his car on lap three before colliding with the barriers at 180mph and sliding down one of the main straights.
Lando Norris lost control at turn 11Credit: Sky Sports F1
He slid down the straight has sparks dramatically flew from his carCredit: Sky Sports F1
The McLaren star slid off track before crashing into the barrierCredit: Sky Sports F1
He eventually came to a stop on the run-off at turn 12 after slowing to 70mph and crashing into the barriers at high-speed.
The impact with the barriers was so hard that it caused Sky’s TV cameras to shake.
Norris immediately assured that he was okay over the team radio before leaving the car.
The McLaren star was then driven away to the circuit medical centre.
But after being examined there, he was transferred to University Medical Centre, a nearby hospital in Las Vegas, for additional precautionary checks.
A statement from the official F1 X account read: “After his accident earlier in the race Lando Norris was transferred to the circuit Medical Centre and has now been taken to University Medical Center for further precautionary investigations.”
McLaren later confirmed that Norris had been discharged from hospital with no significant injuries.
He eventually came to a stop at one of the run-offs at turn 12Credit: Sky Sports F1
Norris informed his team that he was okay shortly after crashingCredit: Rex
His car was completely destroyed after the incidentCredit: Splash
Norris was taken to hospital after the crashCredit: Rex
The Las Vegas GP was thrown into chaos before it even began when two retro show cars leaked oil on the track.
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Stewards subsequently attempted to cover the spillage – which happened on the start grid – with powder.
Max Verstappen – who eventually went on to win the race – was left furious as a result.
The oil leak appeared to impact several drivers at the start of the race, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez all colliding at turn one.
While Verstappen clinched his 18th race win of the season, Charles Leclerc finished second with Sergio Perez third.
Norris started the race in 16thCredit: Getty
Norris later reassured fans that he was okayCredit: Instagram @Landonorris
The British driver took to Instagram to share a series of photos at the hospitalCredit: Instagram @Landonorris More

FOR Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, they will be hoping for A Little Less conversation and a little more action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.And whoever comes out on top might be All Shook Up by the result.
Sergio Perez, left, and Max Verstappen, right, show off their Elvis-inspired outfitsCredit: Courtesy of Oracle Red Bull Racing
Perez and Verstappen will wear the outfits at the Las Vegas Grand PrixCredit: Courtesy of Oracle Red Bull Racing
That’s because the Red Bull drivers are set to wear Elvis-inspired suits, when they take to the track at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday evening.
Called the ‘Viva Las Vegas Suit’, after the King’s famous hit, there will be two versions – one in red, one in white.
Both feature signature star details on the trousers in homage to the Hound Dog star.
“As we gear up for the first ever Grand Prix in Las Vegas, it’s only fitting that we pay tribute to the most prolific Las Vegas icon, Elvis Presley,” Red Bull’s Team Principal Christian Horner said.
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“Elvis left his mark on Vegas and the world, becoming synonymous with the glitz, the flash, and the energy of the strip, something we are hoping to replicate as we take to the track on Saturday night.” 
Fans will be able to get their hands on merch thanks to a partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing and Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Hoodies, T-shirts, fleeces, hoodies and totes featuring vintage images of Elvis adorned in race-gear along with a modification of his famed quote “Ambition is a Dream with a V8 V6 Engine” will be sold at the Elvis Presley Amazon Shop.
In 1969, Elvis famously kicked off a seven-year residency in Sin City at the International Hotel, which became the Las Vegas Hilton in 1971 and is now the Westgate.
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He performed an astonishing 636 shows, often two per night, on a showroom stage that still exists.
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However, in 1977 that came to an end when he was found dead at his beloved Graceland mansion in Memphis.
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BRAD PITT led a star-studded list of celebrities enjoying the qualifying action at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.The Hollywood icon, 59, is a huge Formula One fan and is currently filming a new film Apex about the sport.
Brad Pitt was the biggest celebrity name in attendance at the Las Vegas GP qualifyingCredit: Getty
Rod Stewart and Gordon Ramsay were guests of Red BullCredit: Getty
Usain Bolt did his trademark celebration along the pit wallCredit: Splash
And he got up close and personal on the pit lane in Nevada on qualifying day.
The actor even rocked an official FIA TV bib along with his accreditation.
Meanwhile, British trio Rod Stewart, Gordon Ramsay and Penny Lancaster were also snapped together taking in the sights and sounds of the Red Bull garage.
Stewart, decked out in a typically-flamboyant yellow velvet suit jacket and colourful waistcoat, looked his usual perky self – leaving the chef visibly baffled.
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Usain Bolt – who would no doubt fancy his chances in one of the F1 sprint races – pulled out his trademark pose on the pit wall of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Elsewhere, TV personality Mark Wright, model Brooks Nader, DJ Chantel Jeffries and influencer Nastya Swan all made the most of the luxury hospitality.
They were guests at the Sports Illustrated’s Club SI for VIPs, with a jam-packed programme of entertainment as well as food and drink.
Nader hosted Friday night’s Swimsuit Party with Nicole English before David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal headline Saturday’s main event.
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Charles Leclerc snatched pole position for the night race down the strip in Sin City.
Leclerc said: “I’m happy. To take the first pole in Las Vegas, it’s an incredible event.

“To be starting from pole is great. However, I’m a bit disappointed about my laps in Q3. I didn’t do a good enough job but it was enough for P1 and that’s all we need.
“Now it’s full focus to try and put everything together for the race. Normally, that’s where we lack most performance so I hope we can put it all together and win here.”
Brooks Nader helped present and host the evening’s entertainmentCredit: Getty
Mark Wright was a VIP guest at the Sports Illustrated’s Club SICredit: Getty
Influencer and model Nastya Swan stunned at the prestigious eventCredit: Getty
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz finished second in Q3 with Max Verstappen third and George Russel fourth – but Lewis Hamilton was way back in 11th.
But Spaniard Sainz is set for a controversial ten-place grid penalty after having to repair his car following the dramatic incident with a manhole cover.
The chaotic scenes descended into a farce on Thursday night as sparks flew out of Sainz’s Ferrari and practice was suspended after just eight minutes.
To make matters worse, fans who spent thousands of dollars to be in attendance at the glamour event did not even get an apology from F1 after being booted out of their seats and missing second practice.
A statement said: “We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula One races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues.
“It happens, and we hope people will understand.”
Ellie Thumann rocked a leather outfitCredit: Getty
Charles Leclerc took pole in front of the incredible SphereCredit: Reuters
Christian Horner had a chat with StewartCredit: Getty
Stewart and Penny Lancaster were all smiles togetherCredit: Getty More

LAS VEGAS GP bosses have released a staggering statement over their shambolic handling of their inaugural race – telling disgruntled fans: “It happens”.Fans had spent THOUSANDS of dollars to watch EIGHT minutes of practice before it was scrapped after a drain cover slammed into Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari sparking a safety fear.
Carlos Sainz was involved in a bizarre incident during practice for the Las Vegas GPCredit: Splash
Sainz hit a loose manhole cover that caused irreparable damage to his carCredit: Splash
A worker repairing a hole after the first practice session was cancelledCredit: AP
The delay meant that second practice did now start until 2:30am – however, fans were ejected from their seats an hour before because of staff contractual hours.
Fans have demanded refunds from F1, who are organising their own race, and responded with a statement which failed to apologise.
And said: “We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula One races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues.
“It happens, and we hope people will understand.”
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The statement was released by Renee Wilm, CEO, Las Vegas Grand Prix and Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula One and likely to draw even more backlash.
In trying to explain their reasoning, the full version said: “Our top priority at Formula One is the safety and security of our drivers, employees, and fans.
“Responsibility for the oversight of a Formula One event falls with Formula One as the commercial rights holder of the sport, the FIA as the regulatory body, and the local promoter, in this case the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“This is important for those who are new to racing to understand.
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“Last night, approximately nine minutes into the first Free Practice session, a water valve cover broke on the straight on Las Vegas Boulevard.
“At that time the FIA, which is responsible for the safe running of the activities on the circuit, stopped the session so that we could look at the broken water valve cover and inspect the track. This has happened on occasion at other tracks at other races around the world.
“The precautionary step of removing all of the water valve covers on the entire track and filling them with sand and asphalt was undertaken.
“The entire process, from determination of the issue to remediation, took approximately five hours.
“The decision to remediate in this way was taken out of an abundance of caution and because the safety of drivers, trackside marshals and officials and our fans is always our highest priority.
“We thank the contractors who worked expeditiously to resolve the situation so quickly.
“As a result, the first Free Practice ended early. We moved ahead with the second Free Practice session at approximately 2:30 AM PT for 90 minutes.
“The decision to run the second Free Practice session at 2:30 AM PT was supported by all parties to ensure the sporting integrity of the remainder of the event.
“We would like to thank the drivers, mechanics and all the teams for their patience and commitment last night to ensure that we could run the session successfully.
“Now, let us turn to the fan experience.
Course staff pictured trying to fix the broken manhole cover during practiceCredit: Getty
“The delay in the start of the second Free Practice session from midnight to 2:30 AM PT created risks for our employees and our fans.
“We made the decision to close the fan areas that are under LVGP’s purview at 1:30 AM PT and send fans home.
“Let us explain why. First, we were concerned about our public safety and security officials who had been in service for a long time and who are being asked to work for the next three nights.
“We thank Clark County’s Metro Police Department, Department of Public Works and other public safety officials for their incredible support during the event and also as we re-opened the track early this morning.
“Second, we were concerned about our transportation employees who are responsible for driving our fans back to hotels.
“By Federal law, they were bumping up against the amount of time they can legally and safely drive buses.
“Finally, our hospitality staff needed the ability to clean and resupply our guest areas to ensure that the fan experience is optimal for everyone over the coming days.
“We know this was disappointing. We hope our fans will understand based on this explanation that we had to balance many interests, including the safety and security of all participants and the fan experience over the whole race weekend.
“We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula 1 races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues. It happens, and we hope people will understand.
“So how will we address this tonight?
“We have worked overnight to adjust our staffing plans across security, transportation and hospitality to ensure that we can function and serve fans with the best possible experience in the event of an extended race schedule.
“We are excited about the racing today and thank our entire team and our fans for their support.
“We know this is going to be a great event. With that let’s get back to racing.”
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