Carlos Sainz remained shaken by the Las Vegas Grand Prix incident, but he voiced clear remorse for what happened on the track. The accident, caused by a poorly sealed drain, led to significant damage to his Ferrari, forcing a late penality that affected his Saturday race prospects. The incident left a mark not just on the car but on the overall mood as the team faced an unexpected setback in one of the sport’s most high-profile events.
The day stretched into the early hours, extending until four in the morning because of the disruption the crash had caused. In interviews conducted after the incident, Sainz stated that he had felt a severe impact on his back and neck, yet emphasized that he was fine overall. A large crew of specialists meticulously checked sewer sections along more than six kilometers of the circuit, aiming to identify any other potential hazards and restore confidence in the track conditions for the rest of the event.
Ruthless spark at the scene captured attention as the Ferrari slid toward the sewer, a moment that drew intense reaction from fans and commentators alike. The image of the crash circulated widely, underscoring the precarious edge between racing speed and track safety at this unique venue.
As the scene unfolded, observers noted the severity of the damage. The sewer issue compromised the car’s chassis, engine, battery, and even the seat, a sequence that momentarily halted progress and required a concerted team effort to recover. After FP1 was canceled, the squad worked tirelessly to enable Sainz to participate in Free Practice 2. Thanks to the decisive work of the team, the Madrid-born driver was able to return to the track and make up for some lost time, though the morning had already altered the program and pressure levels for the day. (Source: DAZN)
The aftermath included a discussion about the FIA’s decision on battery usage. Sainz expressed disappointment with how the situation was handled, noting that the SF-23’s third battery had been cited in deliberations that he believes were not fully aligned with the facts of the day. He described the impact as a strike against the team’s effort to push for performance within the rules. The driver argued that the track’s characteristics this weekend might have been more favorable to their setup, and that tire warm-up had been crucial for achieving competitive lap times. He remained hopeful about the weekend’s potential, even as the penalty cast a cloud over the immediate results. The sentiment from Sainz reflected a request for clarity and fairness, suggesting that a reasonable exception could be considered for the unusual events of the day, while recognizing the need to continue competing at the highest level. (Source: DAZN)