Red Bull drivers not happy: 'Las Vegas like driving in the rain on slicks'

F1 News

christian horner reaction to las vegas chaos manhole cover
17 November 2023 at 05:57
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Only ten minutes of free practice for the first-ever session at the Las Vegas Street Circuit. A loose manhole cover meant that there was considerable damage to the cars of Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon. It now remains to be seen when the on-track action will continue.

Max Verstappen has not made it a secret that he did not favour a Grand Prix in Las Vegas. For now, the critic is proved right. His team boss Christian Horner was actually looking forward to racing in the gambling city, but for now, it's a lot of chaos: "It's a shame we're not on track running at the moment, but I think obviously there's been a problem. I think the frame around the manhole or the post that's there, that seems to be what's given way so they're going to have to check all of the others because you can see the damage that was done to the Ferrari," he told Sky Sports.

Red Bull Racing's drivers had a brief debriefing immediately after the short session. And now the waiting is underway: "How many are posts out there? I don't know. They've got to go and check them all, really, just to make sure it's safe to run. These cars are doing such a speed so close to the ground. We just want to make sure that it's safe."

'Disappointment for fans'

There are no support races in Las Vegas. Horner therefore thinks F1 should be flexible. "It's a great shame for the fans that came out to see the cars running, but safety comes first. We've just got to get this right, and hopefully, it won't take too long."

Horner was then asked if his drivers had anything positive to say about the new track? "They've said that it's like driving in the wet on slicks at the moment. But that's normal for such a new surface. Especially in the braking zone, it's really tricky."