F1 off to rough start: Ferrari damaged, fans told to leave before practice ends

Sergio Perez. Pic/AFP

The Las Vegas Grand Prix had a bumpy opening when the first practice of the $500 million Formula One race was halted nine minutes into the session on Thursday night because Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over a water valve cover that badly damaged his Ferrari.

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It caused the first practice to be aborted, a delay of 2 1/2 hours before second practice for track repairs, and all spectators were removed from viewing areas ahead of the 90-minute session that ended at 4 am local time - the deadline for F1 to return the roads to Las Vegas commuters.

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"I am very sorry for the fans that this happened, but I believe we will be able to put on a great race," said Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.

Multiple drainage covers needed to be sealed ahead of the second practice, which was originally scheduled for midnight but didn't begin until 2:30 am on Friday. Track organizers an hour earlier had told all fans to leave.

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