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Formula 1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying: Live lap-by-lap updates and latest news as Vegas Grand Prix weekend looks to get back on track after rocky Friday

1 year ago 76

By Luke Power For Mailonline

Published: 07:00 GMT, 18 November 2023 | Updated: 07:44 GMT, 18 November 2023

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Follow Mail Sport's live blog for all the latest news and lap-by-lap updates from qualifying at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Danny Ricciardo: These tickets are a bit expensive, aren't they?

Would you fork out £1,200 for a ticket.

That's the price base tickets have been at for this weekend - and they don't even offer a view of the circuit!

Ricciardo, who returned to his roots with Alpha Tauri in July, stated he is 'aware' of the exorbitant prices, and was disappointed some fans may not be able to afford the experience.

Read more below.

Fifteen minutes to go

Just a quarter of an hour until qualifying gets underway. How excited are you? Let us know any predictions in the comments.

OLIVER HOLT: Yes, it has been a rocky start, but F1 and Las Vegas are entertainment's newest power couple

'Sin City and F1 have only just met, yet it feels as if they have known each other their whole lives.'

That's according to our columnist Oliver Holt, who is out in Las Vegas to observe not only a sporting event, but a unique commercial and entertainment enterprise.

'The event is bigger than just a single race. It fits into a pattern of the city using sport to build its profile.'

Read more below.

Spot the unmissable spherical object

The Las Vegas Sphere really is something, isn't it?

Casting a watchful eye over this race weekend.

 Pierre Gasly of France driving the (10) Alpine F1 A523 Renault on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Williams driver Alexander Albon, of Thailand, drives during the final practice session for the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

JONATHAN MCEVOY: Toto Wolff's petulant meltdown won't win over Vegas hearts and minds

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff ranted at a reporter after they wondered if the farcical events of FP1 were a 'black eye' for F1.

'Talking here about the black eye for the sport on a Thursday evening, nobody watches that in European time anyway,' he said in his tirade.

McEvoy: You would struggle to find more petulance from a professionally urbane charmer than Toto Wolff exhibited in his response to some pretty reasonable questions over what was quickly descending into the Las Vegas Grand Prix debacle.

Read more below.

Glitz and glamour in Vegas

We're back in Las Vegas for the first time since 1982 and the Americans certainly know how to put on a show!

Around £500million was spent on bringing this vision to life and give F1 a third race on the 2023 calendar.

It is, of course, another street circuit, and the last time we were at one was in Singapore in September, when Carlos Sainz finished top ahead of Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen.

 Kylie Minogue performs during the opening ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

 Valtteri Bottas of Finland driving the (77) Alfa Romeo F1 C43 Ferrari on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 17, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

Carlos Sainz's penalty: the weekend's biggest talking point

Carlos Sainz has been slapped with a ten-place grid penalty after his nightmare in FP1.

  • The Spanish driver picked up huge damage to his car underside and sparks flew as he drove over a loose drain cover.
  • It meant the first practice session was ended after just EIGHT minutes following a grand opening ceremony.
  • Furious Ferrari chief called the situation 'unacceptable'.
  • Sainz was forced to get a survival cell, internal combustion engine, energy store and control electronics.
  • Because he used a third energy store, the FIA gave him the penalty and said that 'mitigating, unusual and unfortunate circumstances' sadly do not spare him.
  • The FIA inspected every manhole cover on the track, meaning FP2 only got underway at 2.30am local time - with no fans in the grandstand!

Full FP3 clasification

  • George Russell top with the fastest time of the weekend
  • Williams drivers both in top six
  • Alpha Tauri and Ferrari struggling

What happened in FP3?

George Russell recorded the fastest time in the final qualifying session, which was ended five minutes early after Alex Albon hit the wall.

The Mercedes driver finished ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Williams' Logan Sargeant.

Charles Leclerc topped the first two sessions but he was down in 16th, with Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz a place behind him, as they couldn't get their final runs in.

Good morning F1 fans!

Morning and thanks for joining us for our live coverage of qualifying for the Las Vegas GP.

We're an hour out from qualifying for the penultimate race of the season.

It has already been an eventful weekend to say the least, with two of the practice sessions being red flagged.

We'll keep you across all the build-up, action, and discussion across this morning.

Key Updates

  • OLIVER HOLT: Yes, it has been a rocky start, but F1 and Las Vegas are entertainment's newest power couple

  • JONATHAN MCEVOY: Toto Wolff's petulant meltdown won't win over Vegas hearts and minds

  • Carlos Sainz's penalty: the weekend's biggest talking point

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