F1 off to rough Las Vegas start. Ferrari damaged, fans told to leave before practice ends at 4 a.m.

LAS VEGAS — 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 Thursday night because Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over a water valve cover that badly damaged his Ferrari.

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 a.m. local time — the deadline for F1 to return the roads to Las Vegas commuters.

“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.

The FIA said Sainz hit the concrete frame around the cover moments after cars took to the track in the hyped return to Las Vegas. After Sainz came to a stop and was examining his damaged car, the governing body ordered all cars off track so it could inspect the entire circuit.

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 a.m. on Friday. Track organizers an hour earlier had told all fans to leave “due to logistical considerations for our fans and our staff.”

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur raged after the abbreviated first practice that what happened to Sainz was “just unacceptable” and said Sainz would not be able to participate in second practice. Ferrari changed the chassis during the lengthy break and Sainz was able to get on track for the extended 90-minute session. But, because of the repairs to the Ferrari, the FIA ruled Sainz will be given a 10-place grid penalty.

Ferrari salvaged the day as Charles Leclerc and Sainz went 1-2 in the second practice session.

During a news conference after first practice, the moderator attempted to ask Vasseur about the “bigger picture" and Vasseur refused to change the topic.

“This one is a good one, I don’t need to have a bigger picture than this one,” Vasseur said. “We had a very tough FP1. This will cost us a fortune. We (expletive) the session for Carlos… we have to change the chassis out of the car, to set up the car, OK? The show is the show and