Video | F1: This is how Carlos Sainz destroyed his car with a sewer at the Las Vegas GP

The Spanish pilot Carlos Sainzfrom Ferrari, was sanctioned this Friday with 10 fewer places on the grid for the race of the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prixafter being forced to change a series of components of the power unit, after a cover of sewer will hit the underside of his car in the first practice, as reported by F1.

P1 of the Las Vegas GP was canceled after Sainz had a problem with a manhole cover that destroyed his car, an incident that also forced the second practice to be delayed by two and a half hours.

With only 10 minutes left in the session, the Madrid native stopped his car on the 'Strip' straight. After the initial uncertainty, it was confirmed that a manhole cover, which was not well sealed, had hit hard on the underside of the SF-23 by Sainzcausing damage to the seat, chassis, motor and battery.

Even the lid was embedded in his car. Sainz emerged unharmed from the incident.

Practice 1 of the Las Vegas GP is suspended due to the lifting of a drain cover that impacts the engine and damages Carlos Sainz's Ferrari car. The Spaniard is also penalized for the race by 10 places for changing the engine...these are the images from different angles pic.twitter.com/kik2E6vCNc

— Heder Saldaña™ (@hederzona3) November 17, 2023

Given the extraordinary situation, Ferrari requested an exception, since these damages were caused for reasons beyond the control of the team, thus requesting the stewards 'repeal of the Sports Regulations' so that there would be no penalty. However, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) He insisted that he should punish.

The stewards explained their decision.

Regardless of the fact that the damage was caused by very unusual external circumstances, Article 2.1 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations obliges all officials, including stewards, to apply the regulations as written.

The FIA ​​added that 'if they had the authority to grant a derogation' in a case of 'extenuating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances, they would have done so', but this is not permitted under current regulations.

(With information from Europa Press)