Carlos Sainz Faces Grid Penalty for Las Vegas Grand Prix Due to Drain Hole Incident
Frustration Mounts as Sainz Contends with Unforeseen Setback
Carlos Sainz, the talented Formula 1 driver, is set to face a significant setback in the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, as he has been handed a ten-place grid penalty. This penalty stems from a concerning incident involving drain hole cover damage during a practice session. Sainz took to social media to express his frustration, deeming the situation “unacceptable.”
The incident unfolded during the first practice session at the brand-new Las Vegas Strip Circuit. In a surprising turn of events, Sainz’s Ferrari SF23 struck a loose drain cover on the track, leading to substantial damage to critical components of his car. The extent of the damage was so severe that the Ferrari team was compelled to embark on extensive repairs and component replacements.
Sainz’s reaction to the grid penalty was swift and vocal, as he vented his frustration on social media. The penalty not only poses a challenge for him but also raises questions about the safety measures and track conditions at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
As the racing community eagerly anticipates the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the penalty handed to Carlos Sainz adds an unexpected twist to the narrative. It remains to be seen how he and the Ferrari team will strategize to overcome this setback and continue their pursuit of success on the Formula 1 circuit.
In a bid to minimize the impact on their race weekend, Ferrari made an appeal to the FIA stewards, seeking an exception from the typical penalties that accompany component replacements of this nature. Nevertheless, following meticulous deliberation and consultations with FIA officials and Ferrari representatives, the stewards upheld the Sporting Regulations. Their ruling was accompanied by the following observation:
“The stewards determine that notwithstanding the fact that the damage was caused by highly unusual external circumstances, Article 2.1 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations obliges all officials, including the Stewards, to apply the regulations as they are written.”
In response to the decision, Sainz took to social media, where he candidly conveyed his discontent while demonstrating unwavering determination to confront the challenge that lies ahead. He eloquently articulated:
“Eventful and long day. We seem competitive and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. However, the situation of the manhole damage and the 10-place penalty is not acceptable, but we’ll deal with it.”
