FP1: Leclerc sets benchmark in nine-minute opening session in Las Vegas

F1 Grand Prix, GP Las Vegas, Las Vegas Street Circuit

Charles Leclerc set the quickest lap time in the opening practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, albeit it was unrepresentative as the session has been cancelled after just over eight minutes of running due to a loose drain cover.

The first 60-minute session at the Las Vegas practice session was red-flagged after the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz came to a halt. Marhals quickly started to remove the stricken Ferrari, but the FIA noted shortly afterwards that the session would not be resumed.

It has emerged that a loose drain cover was the cause for Sainz's stoppage and the FIA confirmed in a statement that "we are currently looking at an issue with a drain cover, which is the reason for the current delay."