Devastated star in ‘uphill battle’ after ‘brutal’ Vegas penalty – F1 LIVE

Day two of the Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to be more productive, with a final practice and qualifying on the schedule.

Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were one-two in a very delayed second practice session on Friday (AEDT).

But it’s Sainz who copped a brutal 10-place grid penalty in “devastating” scenes in Sin City.

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Sainz was one of two drivers caught up in the loose water valve cover drama of day one – with Ferrari having to exceed replacement limits to get the Spaniard back out on track.

Ferrari had made a request for a ‘free’ battery change – but that was denied. FIA stewards said they had no choice but to impose the mandatory sanction despite “highly unusual external circumstances”.

Practice three begins from 3.15pm AEDT with qualifying from 7pm.

STAR SET FOR ‘UPHILL BATTLE’

Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz may have set the early pace in Las Vegas practice on Friday, but it’s the Spaniard who commentators fear for this weekend.

Sainz was one of the drivers affected by the Vegas track safety issue – and as a result of getting his Ferrari back out has breached the limit on using a replacement part.

He copped a 10-place grid penalty and was left devastated by the FIA decision.

“That changed completely my mindset and my opinion on the weekend and how it’s going to go from now on. I’m disappointed and in disbelief with the situation. You will not see me very happy this weekend,” Sainz said.

“There will be opportunities (on race day). But right now I am just too disappointed with the outcome.”

Commentators Jenson Button and Danica Patrick both expressed their disappointment in the decision handed down to Sainz, while Karun Chandhok believes Ferrari will have to sacrifice the star’s weekend.

“You could see the sadness on his face,” Patrick said of Sainz.

“Singapore, they were fast… he’s thinking ‘I won Singapore, a street race’. I’m sure he’s devastated – he might have had that opportunity again.

“It’s very hard to make up that many positions. I think he feels he’s in a pretty uphill battle.”

Button said he expects Sainz to be fired up come race day.

“(It’s) very frustrating, but sometimes you see the best of drivers in this situation,” he said. “He’s going to be fighting so hard this weekend.”

Chandhok said Ferrari needed to focus on Leclerc if they were to take victory in Nevada.

“If Ferrari have a chance to win the Grand Prix, it’s with Charles Leclerc. They’ve got to do everything to try and get Leclerc as high up as possible,” he said.

“I feel sorry for Carlos.

“Yesterday has meant it’s not going to be his weekend – and that’s just life.”

STATEMENT PANNED AS VOUCHERS OFFERED

Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers are hoping for a more productive day two after Friday’s track safety issue forced a delayed practice and disgruntled fans to be booted from the stands.

A broken water valve cover was to blame for the lengthy delay and massive schedule reshuffle – leaving drivers stranded until a 2.30am (local time) practice could start.

In a joint statement, Formula 1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix said the “top priority” was the safety and security of their drivers, employees and fans.

But the statement has been blasted for not including an apology to those affected by the day one drama.

Instead, fans holding a single day pass to the Las Vegas event have been offered a $200 compensation voucher to spend at the F1 store – but nothing has been made available to those fans holding a three-day pass for the entire weekend’s activities.

“We were concerned about our public safety and security officials who had been in service for a long time and who are being asked to work for the next three nights,” the joint statement read.

“Second, we were concerned about our transportation employees who are responsible for driving our fans back to hotels. By Federal law, they were bumping up against the amount of time they can legally and safely drive buses.

“Finally, our hospitality staff needed the ability to clean and resupply our guest areas to ensure that the fan experience is optimal for everyone over the coming days.

“We know this was disappointing. We hope our fans will understand based on this explanation that we had to balance many interests, including the safety and security of all participants and the fan experience over the whole race weekend.

“We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula 1 races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues. It happens, and we hope people will understand.”

Organisers say they are excited for day two of the $1billion event and pledged to provide the “best possible experience”.

Practice 3 starts from, 3.15pm AEDT.

OUTSPOKEN MAX SLAMMED BY ‘DISAPPOINTED’ ICON

Martin Brundle conceded he was “a bit disappointed” with Max Verstappen’s frustrations surrounding the opening ceremony in Las Vegas.

The world champion claimed drivers “looked like a clown” during the ceremony as they stood on a stage and waved to adoring fans amid several over theatrics throughout.

However, Sky Sports commentator Brundle did not share the same stance and couldn’t understand why the Red Bull superstar was so grumpy about it all.

“If he doesn’t like it, I’m not sure he needs to say anything at all,” Brundle said on Sky Sports’ coverage.

“I was a bit disappointed with that, because standing on a rostrum coming up and waving, a lot of adulation from the fans, it’s not the worst job in the world is it?

“It’s not that difficult. You’re not on shift work or down the mines or something. So I don’t understand why he feels so negative about it.”

Former world champion Jenson Button was “surprised” at just how “outspoken” Verstappen was on the matter, but reminded the Dutchman that the theatrics are simply part of the job now.

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