F1 Las Vegas GP 2023: How a disrupted Friday practice played out

Local roads (remember, this is a street track) were set to be opened to the public at 4am.

That's been pushed back to 6am due to the F1 chaos.

The locals will not be amused...

• F1 confirm plan to resume FP2 at Las Vegas Grand Prix after manhole drama | F1 | News (crash.net)

"We are currently expecting around two hours of delay from the originally scheduled start time for FP2 in order for the local circuit engineering team to carry out the necessary works on the track. The session will be extended to 90 minutes."

"The team has successfully prepared the spare chassis and rebuilt Car #31 following the incident in FP1."

Unconfirmed by the FIA yet, the plan - if the work is done to the track - for FP2 to take place at 10:30am UK time, running for 90 minutes.

We await official news.

UPDATE: Waiting for an update 

— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) November 17, 2023

FP2 was due to start in 15 minutes but it has been delayed.

We're waiting to see whether FP2 will even take place today.

No further updates yet from the FIA.

Read what he had to say here...

“After inspection by F1 and the FIA, a single water valve cover on the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit failed during FP1. The FIA, F1 and local circuit engineering teams are actively working to review and address the issue."

"We are checking the damage caused to Carlos’ car when he hit the manhole cover, which seems quite extensive."

"It's a shame we are not allowed on track. They are going to have to check all the manhole covers and weld them or do something because you can see the damage it's done. We are all good, no damage for us so far. 

"They have got to be flexible. It's a great shame for the fans but safety comes first. We have got to get this right and hopefully it won't take too long."

He, like Sainz, hit the drain cover...

"Will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule."

"Following inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed. We now need to check all of the other manhole covers which will take some time"

Read our developing story here...

"We are currently looking at an issue with a drain cover, which is the reason for the current delay."

FP1 will not resume... so the session is over. Waiting for more news from the FIA.

"So, there might be a drain. Sainz has stopped behind you, and reported that the floor is destroyed. Be very careful on the backstraight."

Sainz appears to have hit a bump down the long straight which resulted in his engine being turned off.

Very unusual - we will wait for news from Ferrari.

Leclerc is currently 2.5s clear of Hulkenberg.

Magnussen, Verstappen, Ocon, Russell, Sainz, Tsunoda, Perez and Bottas is the top 10.