Sainz handed 10-place grid drop for Las Vegas Grand Prix after practice incident

Carlos Sainz has received a 10-place grid drop for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Ferrari forced to change a host of power unit components following first practice.

Sainz came to a halt in the early stages of Thursday evening’s session at the all-new Las Vegas Strip Circuit after hitting a drain cover, causing damage to his engine, Energy Store and Control Electronics, along with the survival cell.

FP1: First practice session in Las Vegas brought to early end amid red flags

Ferrari submitted a request to the stewards asking for a 'derogation of the Sporting Regulations', to allow a replacement of the Energy Store from outside the pool without penalty, but this was not permitted.

After hearing from a Ferrari Team Representative, the Director of the FIA Single Seater Department, and having viewed video evidence and examined the team’s declaration sheet, the stewarding panel explain their decision.

“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,” read the document.

“Accordingly, the mandatory penalty specified under Article 28.3 of the Sporting Regulations must be applied.

LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from second practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix

“The stewards note that if they had the authority to grant a derogation in what they consider in this case to be mitigating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances, they would have done so, however the regulations do not allow such action.”

When second practice began, the FIA duly confirmed that Sainz had taken on a third new Energy Store for the season, exceeding the limit of two, resulting in a 10-place grid drop for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.