Motorsport

SERGIO PEREZ was left red-faced following an awkward moment with announcer Bruce Buffer at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.The inaugural Las Vegas GP was won by Perez’s Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.
Sergio Perez and Bruce Buffer shared an awkward glance after the driver’s name was read out
The Red Bull star glanced awkwardly at the camera
Perez then walked away slowly looking confusedCredit: Formula 1
Ahead of the race each driver’s name was announced by Buffer, whose voice has become synonymous with big UFC fights around the world.
But when Perez’s name was called the Mexican got the wrong impression and thought he was about to be interviewed.
Buffer bellowed out Perez’s name before approaching the driver, who waved at the crowd while beaming from ear to ear.
The pair then shared an awkward stare with Perez appearing to wait for Buffer to ask him a question.
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But the announcer instead backed off, leaving Perez to stand on the grid awkwardly by himself as a fan said: “I’m cringing so hard.”
He then slowly walked away and said something to Buffer, who was concentrating on the next name to be announced.
Perez, 33, went on to finish on the podium, third behind Charles Leclerc and Verstappen.
Meanwhile Mercedes pair Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished seventh and eighth respectively.
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Fellow Brit Lando Norris suffered a horror crash and was rushed to hospital.
There was also a big incident before lights out as oil from retro cars leaked onto the track, leaving Verstappen fuming. More

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.
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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