Ferrari is gearing up for private discussions with Formula 1 stakeholders over the compensation for damages to Carlos Sainz’s car during the Las Vegas Grand Prix practice session. The incident not only caused significant damage to the vehicle but also disrupted the event, leading to a class action lawsuit by spectators.
Between the lines:
– Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari suffered severe damage after hitting a loose water valve cover in Las Vegas GP’s FP1, prompting a session cancellation.
– The team faces financial strain as the incident impacts their budget cap, with no current regulations offering cost exemptions for such damage.
– Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur is set to engage in private talks for compensation, referencing a similar precedent from the 2017 Malaysian GP.
– The handling of the incident, particularly the delay in deploying the red flag, is also under scrutiny by the Scuderia boss.
Go deeper:
In the neon-lit drama of the Las Vegas GP, a rogue water valve cover turned into a high-stakes slot machine for Ferrari, with the team hitting a costly jackpot of damages. Just minutes into FP1, Sainz’s car became an unwilling bulldozer, launching the concrete-framed cover and wrecking havoc on the SF-23’s internals. The aftermath was a domino effect: FP1 got axed, FP2 was delayed, and the grandstands were eerily spectator-free.
The financial roulette didn’t stop spinning there. Sainz, who snagged a P2 qualifying spot, was slapped with a 10-place grid penalty for a new ES element, adding insult to injury as force majeure found no shelter in the sporting regulations. The budget cap loomed like a casino’s ceiling, unforgiving and unyielding, as Vasseur tallied the damages: a damaged loom, gearbox, battery, and a “dead” engine.
As the dust settles on the Strip, Ferrari’s Vasseur is channeling his inner casino pit boss, preparing for a hush-hush negotiation with F1’s high rollers. The team’s ledger is bleeding red, and the compensation talks are not just about the money; they’re about precedent and safety. The 2017 Malaysian GP incident, where Haas played the unfortunate losing hand, set the stage for such financial settlements.
Vasseur isn’t just shuffling the deck for compensation; he’s calling for a review of the trackside safety protocols. The delayed red flag, a full minute after the yellow, raised more than eyebrows—it raised concerns about reaction times at 340 kph. In the world of F1, where every second is sacred, this minute-long gap was a century too long.
As the Scuderia steers through this financial chicane, fans and stakeholders alike are buckled in for the ride. Will Ferrari emerge with a compensatory victory lap, or will the house always win? Keep your eyes peeled on social media for the latest updates in this high-speed saga.
