Leclerc tops delayed second practice after track issues
Session 90 minutes long after first practice ended early with cars damaged by track's drain covers
Ocon and Sainz's chassis to be changed for drain cover damage
Sainz receives grid drop for using new battery after damage
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Esteban Ocon is wearing a fantastic Deadpool design for his race helmet this weekend - which looks striking in the cockpit - but now it's been put to one side as the mechanics are hard at work on that new chassis. Will Ocon and Carlos Sainz be out for second practice? Will we even have a second session?
As we mentioned earlier, there are no support races in Las Vegas this weekend and as this is a street track, part of the circuit will be back open to the public at the conclusion of each session.
Image source, XEsteban Ocon also came into a spot of bother on the Las Vegas Strip, just like Carlos Sainz.
Alpine have posted on X, formerly Twitter: "We will change the chassis on Car #31 due to damage from a suspected drain cover on track."
Carlos Sainz is making his way back to his Ferrari base and looks to be OK. That was a heavy thump he absorbed as his car hit the loose cover.
The stewards have come out to have a look at the damage to Carlos Sainz's car. The FIA has confirmed a loose drain cover has caused the issue.
All the drivers are out of their cars and looking around to see what is going on. This is bit of a damp squib to start the Las Vegas weekend but safety comes first.
Session will not be resumed! Wow. That's it for first practice.
While we wait for the session to restart, good news if you're actually there in Las Vegas: the Bellagio fountains are switched on! So go and have a look if you're there.
Carlos Sainz's car has been recovered and off it pops back to the garage. The Spaniard will be on the back foot now getting up to speed with this brand new track.
That was a thud. "Stop the car, engine off" was the message that flashed up to Carlos Sainz as he began to slow down on one of the long straights.
This is not the start Ferrari would have wanted following the disappointing Sao Paulo Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc.
Meanwhile, a pick n mix of tyres have been bolted on for these exploratory laps of the Vegas circuit. Leclerc is quickest so far with a 1:40.909 on the softs followed by the two Haas boys on the same tyres. Nico Hulkenberg is two tenths faster than his team-mate Kevin Magnussen in third.
The red flag is waving and Carlos Sainz is climbing out of the car safely. The Spaniard is parked up by the Eiffel Tower of the Paris hotel.
Carlos Sainz has come to a stop on track. The mechanics in the Ferrari garage look confused.
F1 has already ticked off Miami and Austin this season and now it's Las Vegas' turn to to complete the trio of United States races in 2023.
For the Saturday night grand prix (Sunday morning in the UK), Pirelli have selected the softest compounds in the range for the 6.201km Strip circuit, which Pirelli’s motorsport director Mario Isola says "should guarantee good grip".
Teams can choose from the C3 (white, hard), C4 (yellow, medium) and C5 (red, soft).
With temperatures more like a pre-season testing session in Barcelona, how will teams and drivers tackle the challenge of warming up their tyres in qualifying?
Image source, Pirelli MotorsportThe huge Sphere is being put to work around Turns Seven to Nine. There was a countdown projected on it to ring in first practice and now it's as bright as a Christmas tree with Las Vegas Grand Prix branding. It does look impressive.
The track is new and with no support races happening this weekend, it's no surprise to hear George Russell's opening radio message. "Grip is very low currently," says the Mercedes driver.
The chance of showers has not been ruled out for qualifying tomorrow but a starry, starry (cold) night on the Las Vegas Strip is forecast for first and second practice.
'At night, in the desert, it can get cold. Especially in mid-November'
Image source, Tilke Design and ArchitectsOink. Yep, the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit does look like a pig hanging from a spit.
All the big Strip landmarks will be taken in during the 50-lap race including Caesars Palace, the Bellagio (including the famous fountains) and the brand new MSG Sphere.
Average speeds for the 17-corner track are expected to match the Italian test at Monza, with Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola anticipating a "very fast" Vegas thrill ride.
"We are expecting a high speed straight - very high speed," Isola told Bloomberg.
What does Lewis Hamilton think Vegas will offer drivers? "Maybe the track will be good, maybe it will be bad," said the seven-time world champion.
"It was so-so on the [simulator]. Don't knock it 'til you try it."
Drivers are going into the unknown. This track ain't no Caesars Palace parking lot, that's for sure.
Image source, Getty ImagesWill there be any movement in the constructors' championship by the time the curtain falls in Abu Dhabi next weekend?
Second-placed Mercedes are 20 points ahead of Ferrari in third despite a nightmare race in Brazil.
McLaren's podium run in the second half of the season means the team are in prime position to finish fourth - but can Aston Martin make up 21 points with two to go and reclaim the place?
Image source, Getty ImagesWorld champion Max Verstappen has been in a league of his own all season and after winning the main race and Sao Paulo sprint two weeks ago, the Dutchman has reached a tally of 524 championship points.
Lewis Hamilton said this week 32 points is probably too much to make up in the remaining two races, so is Sergio Perez safe in the runners-up spot?
The battle for fourth, however, is wide open. Fernando Alonso occupies that place heading into Vegas but Lando Norris, in fifth, is only three points behind, while Carlos Sainz is just six point off the Aston Martin driver in sixth.
Image source, Getty Images