Ferrari's Carlos Sainz shocked by grid penalty after drain cover drama

SHOCKED: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, of Spain, waits in his garage before the start of the second practice session for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Carlos Sainz said he had paid the price for Formula One's shortcomings after a loose drain cover wrecked his Ferrari and triggered a 10 place grid penalty at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday.

Thursday's first practice lasted only eight minutes before Sainz's car hit the metal cover in a storm of sparks. The second session eventually started at 0230 local time on Friday after safety checks.