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damage extensive at sainz after manhole cover detached in las vegas

This is how big the damage to Sainz's Ferrari was: complete hole in the floor

17 November 2023 at 07:33
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  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

The dislodged water valve cover in Las Vegas has caused damage to Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon. Both F1 drivers are forced to use a completely new chassis. For Sainz, in particular, the extent of the damage was remarkable. The water valve cover punched a complete hole in the Ferrari.

"We hear the top part of the drain pipe that got loose has a cylindrical shape. It caused a big hole in the floor of the Ferrari. It was even possible to see the road through the cockpit," wrote Auto, Motor und Sport journalist Tobi Grüner on X, the former Twitter.

So Sainz and Esteban Ocon - who also drove over the cover - will now switch chassis. They will have to skip the second free practice for that reason anyway.

Meanwhile, the FIA is busy checking all the covers. The part that Sainz and Ocon hit is now being welded back in place. Underneath, a layer of cement has been applied to fill the gap, according to pictures from Las Vegas.