Martin Brundle defends F1 chief with ‘right to be angry’ at Las Vegas GP

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Sky Sports F1 pundit, Martin Brundle, has defended Frederic Vasseur after the Ferrari team principal’s rant at the Las Vegas GP after Carlos Sainz hit a manhole cover in FP1.

The first session of the weekend lasted just minutes as Formula 1 abandoned practice at the Las Vegas GP. Problems with the manhole covers around the street circuit saw FP1 end after nine minutes. Sainz and Alpine star Esteban Ocon both sustained damage in their early laps.

A manhole cover came loose through the opening phases of the session and left Ferrari with some causes for concern. The Scuderia had to replace Sainz’s chassis along with his engine and battery. Ocon also took damage that forced Alpine to prepare the squad’s spare chassis.

Vasseur slams the ‘unacceptable’ manhole cover issues

An indefinite delay to the proceedings at the Las Vegas GP saw FP2 pushed back by multiple hours. But the damage Sainz sustained from teething issues with the Las Vegas Strip Circuit during FP1 infuriated Vasseur, who bemoaned how it would cost Ferrari ‘a fortune’ to repair.

Vasseur said, via quotes by BBC Sport, whilst lambasting the ‘unacceptable’ issues with manhole covers in Las Vegas: “The show is mega and I am very happy with what [F1 owners] Liberty [Media] did around the race. But we have to separate the show and the sporting side.

“The opening ceremony was something mega in F1. But it is not because you are doing this that you don’t have to do the job on the sporting side. You can do the show and do a good job on the sporting side.”

Brundle defends Vasseur’s rant at the Las Vegas GP

Sky Sports F1 pundit Brundle believes Vasseur has every right to be furious that a manhole cover ruined Sainz’s chassis and left Ferrari with a huge repair bill after FP1 at the Las Vegas GP. Their loss of running could also hurt the Spaniard’s chances of a competitive weekend.

“He has the right to be angry,” Brundle told Sky Sports. “Under these cost cap regulations, we are here at a track where Ferrari fancy their chances, especially with Carlos Sainz, and they have a broken chassis, broken engine and no mileage.

“Even if we run again tonight, that Ferrari is not going to run. Vasseur is not going to be very keen to hear how good the event is.”

What time does the Las Vegas GP start?

Ferrari had arrived with hopes of seeing Sainz and Charles Leclerc be competitive at the Las Vegas GP. Vasseur noted before the weekend how both have impressed at street tracks this season. Sainz became the only non-Red Bull race winner this year back at the Singapore GP.

The manhole cover issues in FP1 could prove very frustrating for Ferrari as they look to find pace. While all teams lost the same amount of running, Sainz’s damage may deal him a grid penalty. Fans in the UK will have to get up early to watch how his race ultimately plays out.

The Las Vegas GP will start at 22:00 local time on Saturday, November 18, making it a 06:00 start on Sunday in the UK. Qualifying may be a slightly more comfortable watch for fans in the UK at 08:00 on Saturday. But the session starts at midnight local time with a night race.