Carlos Sainz has been summoned by the Stewards after a number of
components were changed on his car after FP1 in Las Vegas. The
opening practice session of the weekend was abandoned after Sainz
and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon sustained damage due to a loose drain
cover on the track. The FIA has confirmed that it plans to start
FP2 at 02:00 local time following a delay of two hours, with the
session extended to 90 minutes. Ferrari has been forced to change
Sainz’s chassis, Internal Combustion Engine, Energy Store and
Control Electronics as a result of the car damage during FP1.
Swapping in new versions of these parts would normally result in a
grid drop. However there may be leeway for Ferrari to argue its
case against a penalty as the damage was inflicted as a result of
substandard track conditions, with the team representative ordered
to the stewards at 01:00 local time – 09:00. “During the first
practice session, Car 55 was damaged due to a contact with a faulty
drain,” read a statement from the FIA. “It appears that components
which are restricted by the Formula One Sporting Regulations have
to be replaced. “This could potentially lead to a breach of Article
28.2 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations.” While Sainz’s car
remains under repair, Alpine has confirmed that Ocon’s car is ready
to return to the track for FP2.
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