Motorsport

FORMULA ONE fans have demanded the FIA make a rule change after Carlos Sainz was handed a grid penalty following his involvement in a freak accident.The Ferrari driver caused the first practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to be cancelled after less than ten minutes of action when he drove over a loose manhole cover.
Carlos Sainz was involved in a freak accident during practice 1 at the Las Vegas GPCredit: The Mega Agency
Sainz hit a loose manhole cover that caused irreparable damage to his carCredit: Splash
CCTV footage from the track showed the moment Sainz’s car caused a huge outburst of sparks as the bottom of his car was ravaged by the cover.
The freak accident at the newly-created street circuit caused irreparable damage to his engine and chassis.
The damage meant Sainz would need to take a third energy store component, with drivers only allowed two for the full season.
Ferrari asked for an exception to the rules to make penalty-free repairs on the car due to the “highly unusual external circumstances”.
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However, race stewards rejected this request and handed Sainz a ten-place grid penalty.
Their statement read: “The mandatory penalty specified under Article 28.3 of the Sporting Regulations must be applied.
“The Stewards note that if they had the authority to grant a derogation in what they consider in this case to be mitigating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances, they would have done so, however the regulations do not allow such action.”
Fans vented their fury at the decision by taking to social media.
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One fan said: “Sainz penalty an absolute farce! Shows what a mess@FIA has dug itself into with every extra page they add to their rulebook.”
A second said: “FIA needs to sit down and go through every page of that bloody rulebook. You’re making a mockery of this sport.”
A third said: “The fact that the FIA is penalizing @Carlossainz55 with a grid penalty when an actual circuit issue caused damage to his car is the most unfair thing I’ve seen in @F1 since the Race Director debacle in the final race of 2021.”
Another said: “So the grid was not checked properly, caused issues with @Carlossainz55 car, and massive delays…but he still gets the penalty… Ridiculous rules!!”
A fifth said: “Sainz gets penalty because @F1 didn’t do their job right.”
While a sixth added: “That Sainz 10 place grid penalty is an utter disgrace, yeah I get rules are rules etc but surely when it’s through no fault of their own whatsoever; the organisers should be compensating for this.”
Sainz said he was in “disbelief” at the decision, while McLaren chief Zak Brown also sympathised with him.
Sainz said: “The team communicated to me that I was taking a 10-place grid penalty for something that I have no fault, and the team have no fault.
“That changed completely my mindset and my opinion on the weekend and how it’s going to go from now on. I’m disappointed and in disbelief with the situation.
“You will not see me very happy this weekend.”
Brown added: “You’ve got to say that’s force majeure, that’s nothing of their own doing. A very unfortunate and unique incident. I was a bit surprised to see that.
“I think we need to be a bit more supporting if something like that happens. I would support them not getting a penalty.”
However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff attempted to fight F1’s corner following the incident.
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MICHAEL Schumacher’s pal has revealed what the F1 legend would be doing had he not had his horror ski crash.British F1 legend Johnny Hebert said the seven-time world champion was able to get the best out of everyone – and opened up about his great talent.
Schumacher’s pal has revealed what the F1 legend would be doing had he not had his horror ski crashCredit: Getty
Herbert reflected on how Schumacher would have made a good pundit after he retired from racingCredit: Getty
Hebert, 59, raced in Formula One between 1989-2000 and battled frequently against Schumacher, even when the pair were teammates for the now-defunct Benetton in 1994 and 1995.
Now, he has opened up about what the German driver would have done best post-retirement if it was not for the horrific ski crash in 2013.
In a recent interview, he said: “I don’t think the motivation would have been there for him to run a team,” replying to a question about Schumacher’s involvement in the sport in the latter stage of his life.
He added: “Schumacher maybe would have looked back at Alain Prost, the professor for whom it didn’t pan out perfectly, but it is not a straightforward thing.”
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Speaking to Genting Casino, Hebert went on to say how the German driver lacked the qualities it takes to run a business.
“Michael’s motivation was as a driver, but I never saw that businessman type of mentality that would have fitted in with what it takes to be a principal.
“Michael was not the conniving sort that is needed for that.
Herbert, however, reflected on how Schumacher would have made a good pundit after he retired from racing.
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He said: “He would have been outspoken. He was always very aware of what you can and can’t do. 
“His character was always in your face, telling you directly if you had done something to him on the track.
“I believe punditry would have been his great strength.”
Schumacher, considered by many to be the greatest driver in Formula One history, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-changing skiing accident nearly a decade ago.
The racing superstar suffered a horrific ski accident while with his son Mick, on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps in 2013.
Any information about the state of his condition is tightly controlled by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
Earlier in October, Hebert revealed Schumacher used to get smashed and rip his pals’ clothes off at wild post-race parties.
He opened up about the crazy times with the seven-time world champion – but admitted they would never get away with it now.
The two racing legends together would often battle against each otherCredit: Getty More

F1 presenter Laura Winter was left “absolutely terrified” after three men painted blue interrupted her broadcast.Winter, 30, was at the Las Vegas Grand Prix presenting for F1 TV when the incident occurred.
Laura Winter was left stunned when the ‘Blue Man Group’ came into shotCredit: F1 TV
She could not gather her words in a hilarious moment live on airCredit: F1 TV
Laura later posed with the Blue Man Group and shared the picture on social mediaCredit: F1 TV
Laura is one of the lead presenters for F1 TVCredit: Getty
The trio, known as the Blue Man Group, stepped into shot behind the presenter and fellow co-host Will Buxton.
A surprised Winter reacted by simply saying : “Oh my god.”
She then attempted to compose herself but could not contain her shock.
And, after gathering herself, she added: “They’re absolutely terrifying me. I’m actually shaking.”
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Winter then started nervously laughing once more, before the clip was shared on social media.
A fan posted the video and added: “Laura Winter freaked out by the blue men 🤣🤣🤣.”
Winter then replied by saying: “I am so sorry, I’ve never in my life lost it so badly on air but I found this genuinely absolutely terrifying. Still shaking. 😂”
She also shared a photo of her posing with the Blue Man Group and added the caption: “There was a happy ending of sorts.”
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Blue Man Group responded with a tweet of their own which read: “Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you, friend. Hope you’re okay!”
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To which Winter replied: “Thank you guys, all good – you’re amazing at what you do! 💙”
F1 fans on Twitter could not get enough of the hilarious moment, with one saying: “Reminding everyone that even TV presenters are human! Made us smile, no need to worry.”
Another added: “It was fun to watch tho! :)”
While a third replied: “I loved it!! Real human moment. I do hope you are OK and recovered!”
And a fourth responded: “You were a delight to watch so early in the morning, I couldn’t stop laughing!!”
Meanwhile, the first practice session of the inaugural Las Vegas GP was cancelled after just eight minutes due to a failed drain cover.
Winter is establishing herself as one of the main F1 presentersCredit: Getty
She previously worked on cycling before becoming an F1 hostCredit: The Mega Agency More

FANS labelled Formula One’s return to Las Vegas a “farce” as a drain cover brought the first practice session to a halt after just eight minutes.The issue saw Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari go up in sparks as he drove at 200mph.

Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari went up in sparksCredit: youTube – Sandro.speeds
CCTV footage shows the incident that caused the session to be cancelledCredit: youtube – sandro.speeds
Sainz’s Ferrari had to be removed from the trackCredit: Splash
The Spaniard had been driving at 200mph when the issue aroseCredit: AP
A failed drain cover prompted the session to be KO’d after just eight minutesCredit: Getty
Dedicated fans were kicked out before FP2 eventually commencedCredit: Splash
This glitzy Grand Prix was supposed to entice the punters to put their chips on F1 being a hit, clearly targeting the high-rollers, some of whom had paid $150,000 a ticket.
F1’s owners Liberty Media’s spending is racing towards the $1billion mark on their pet project, which has been frequently referred to as the “biggest show on Earth”.
But it lasted a few laps before a chunk of concrete and metal manhole cover was ripped from the tarmac and slammed into the floor of Sainz’s Ferrari.
Race Director Niels Wittich stopped proceedings immediately saying the circuit – the second longest on the calendar – posed a safety risk due to potentially unsafe drain covers being sucked up from the downforce of the cars.
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Fans in the grandstands booed – it was some introduction to the sometimes shambolic world of F1 that is nothing like the heavily edited adaptation seen on Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
Sainz’s car required repairs and he will even have to serve a grid penalty for taking a third energy store of the season – despite the changes being necessitated by the track farce.
Bored, tired drivers were forced to keep themselves occupied as the beginning of FP2 was delayed until after 2am local time.
Some dedicated fans stayed on-site to try to catch more action… only to be kicked out at 1:30am following a decision by organisers.
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Disappointed Sainz heads back to the pitsCredit: Reuters
Debris from Sainz’s car was collected after the incidentCredit: Getty
The loose manhole cover provided a significant safety rickCredit: Rex
Fans online blasted the shambolic start to the weekend, with one writing: “This weekend is becoming more and more of a joke.”
While a second fumed: “I have never been so embarrassed to be a American F1 fan this is awful.”
A third admitted: “This is turning into a farce…”
And another added: “Ok now THAT is ridiculous.”
Blame culture means F1 and the governing body, the FIA, will now point accusing fingers at each other.
But it was a clear example of both sides not learning their lesson from earlier in the season.
The sport dodged a massive bullet at the Qatar Grand Prix where newly installed kerbs ripped apart the Pirelli tyres.
The Italian manufacturer explained the track compromised the safety of their tyres – the upshot was that the drivers were forced to make a pitstop every 18 laps, culminating in a perfect storm that eventually saw drivers close to collapsing soon after the chequered flag.
What was learned from that? After all, there was no support series, no test event.
Fast forward a few weeks and we are faced with the same situation. No support series, no test event, another safety risk.
Ninety-nine per cent show and one per cent sporting eventMax Verstappen
Could it have been prevented? Difficult to know now until a report is published but the upshot is it leaves F1’s owners in a difficult position.
Even before the red flag, the previous day reigning world champion Max Verstappen openly criticised the race as “99 per cent show and one per cent sporting event”.
The local residents too have slammed the race, saying the building work has caused traffic issues with taxi drivers left furious at the loss of business.
Local landmarks have been boarded up, much to the frustration of tourists. Restaurateurs too are upset that the restrictions have led to cancellations.
F1 hoped that this race was the new showpiece to rival the likes of Monaco but it has so far been a classic case of F1 continuing to shoot itself in the foot.
The last time F1 raced in Vegas it was a stinker around the Caesars Palace car park in 1982.
And then there was the farce in 2005 United States Grand Prix held in Indianapolis where only six cars competed due to fears over the safety of the Michelin tyres.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was asked if this latest set-back was a “black eye” for F1 in the US – prompting an extraordinary blast.
He said: “It is not a black eye, it is only P1. Nobody is going to talk about it any more.
“How can you even talk about a black eye about an event that sets new standards to everyone. You are speaking about a f****** drain cover, give credit to the people who make this event possible and who made this sport bigger than ever.”
‘UNACCEPTABLE’
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, on the other hand, fumed: “Carlos hit something and it hit the engine and battery. I think it is unsatisfactory.
“I do not want to look at the bigger picture. It has costs us a lot of money. It was unacceptable.”
The latest set-back will no doubt hammer F1’s share price which has dropped all week.
But it could have been a lot worse, had Sainz, or another other driver been injured, or indeed actor Brad Pitt, who was due to shoot a scene for his new F1 movie, which has incidentally been delayed 12 months.
The drain covers will be welded shut for the rest of the weekend, but for many the damage has already been done.
And as any punter in Vegas will tell you, when luck is against you, it is perhaps time to call it quits.
It wasn’t a bad night for everyone, however, with F1 legend Jacques Villeneuve marrying partner Guilia Marra in the paddock.
Although presenter Laura Winter was left terrified, when three men painted blue interrupted her broadcast.
Kylie Minogue performed at the launch partyCredit: Getty
The track takes in some of the famous Vegas sightsCredit: Splash
Gordon Ramsey is among the celebrities in Vegas to enjoy the F1Credit: Getty
Colombian singer J Balvin performs at the launch partyCredit: Getty
The Grand Prix passes some famous landmarksCredit: Getty
The Sphere in Vegas has been lit up like a driver’s helmetCredit: Getty
Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur blasted the ‘unacceptable’ incidentCredit: AFP More