RACE DEBRIEF

    The opening practice session for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend was brought to an early end after the red flags were thrown following a stoppage for Carlos Sainz.

    Less than 10 minutes into the hour, Sainz stopped out on track at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Onboard footage showed a message reading ‘Stop the Car’ had appeared on the Spaniard’s dashboard.

    NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix

    While the marshals worked to remove the stricken Ferrari, the clock continued to tick down. But it was then announced that the session would not be resumed, with the FIA confirming that they were looking at an issue with a drain cover on the track.

    Sainz’s team mate, Charles Leclerc, had provisionally set the fastest time before the stoppage with a lap of 1m 40.909s.

    FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2023

    United States 2023

    Practice 1 results

    POSITION TIME
    1 Charles Leclerc LEC Ferrari 1:40.909
    2 Nico Hulkenberg HUL Haas F1 Team +2.537s
    3 Kevin Magnussen MAG Haas F1 Team +3.352s
    4 Max Verstappen VER Red Bull Racing +3.488s
    5 Esteban Ocon OCO Alpine +4.456s

    Nico Hulkenberg had ended up in second, with Kevin Magnussen placing third and Max Verstappen following in fourth as the drivers gained their first experience of the new 6.201km track.

    Esteban Ocon claimed fifth, although Alpine confirmed following FP1 that the Frenchman would undergo a chassis change due to damage from a suspected drain cover on track.

    WEEKEND WARM-UP: The excitement continues to build ahead of the inaugural Las Vegas GP

    The teams will now ready themselves for the second practice session, which kicks off at midnight local time.