The controversial Las Vegas Grand Prix has been hit by delays after a car was damaged by a loose manhole cover.

The opening practice round of the Formula One event was halted just eight minutes into the session when racer Carlos Sainz broke down in his Ferrari after it struck the object at 200mph on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Competitor Esteban Ocon also then smashed into the debris in his Alpine vehicle.

Ferrari described the damage to Sainz’s car as “extensive”, while Alpine said Ocon will require a new chassis.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Masseur said: “He [Sainz] said [he] hit something on track, and he didn’t know what it was. It is just unacceptable for F1.”

The practice round was suspended, while the second session was pushed back by at least two hours while staff rushed to carry out emergency repairs.

Second practice resumed at 2.30am local time (10.30am UK time).

A spokesperson for F1 governing body FIA said: “Following an inspection, a concrete frame around a manhole cover has failed.

“We now need to check all of the other manhole covers, which will take some time.”

Viewers described the disruption as a “shambles” in posts on social media, with many also expressing fears for the safety of the race’s drivers.

Read more from Sky News:
Two 12-year-old boys charged with man’s murder
Diddy brands sex allegations ‘outrageous’
Meghan ‘thrilled’ to be back in Hollywood

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told Sky Sports: “They are going to have to check all the manhole covers and weld them or do something because you can see the damage that it has done.

“It’s a great shame for the fans but safety comes first. We have got to get this right and hopefully it won’t take too long.”

It is the first time in four decades that Las Vegas has held a Grand Prix and criticisms have been raised about whether it is a suitable location to host the event.

Triple world champion Max Verstappen is among those to have raised concerns about the quality of the track, which he described as “not exciting”.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The racer also told reporters he believed the event was “99% show and 1% sport”.

However, it is not the first time that street fixtures have caused disruption to the sport.

Jenson Button struck a dislodged drain in practice in Monaco in 2016, while George Russell also ran over a drain cover in Azerbaijan four years ago.

Related posts:

Recreational cannabis set to become legal in New York Boris Johnson raises Harry Dunn case with Joe Biden ahead of G7 summit Sir Richard Branson launches space flight as Virgin Galactic takes off Turpin sisters, held captive alongside 11 siblings by their parents, speak out about ‘hell’ they endured ‘I let myself down’: McDonald’s boss apologises for sending ‘racist’ text after child shootings US airlines warn 5G could ground planes and cause ‘chaos’ British man shot dead during Texas synagogue siege ‘was known to MI5’ Texas Senator Ted Cruz storms off over questions about gun reform after school shooting Joe Biden hits out at ‘extreme ideology’ of Donald Trump in fiery speech Serena Williams crashes out of the US Open – in what may be final singles campaign of her career Crew saved from sharks after fishing boat sinks off Louisiana coast ‘Shockingly insensitive’: Officer joked after woman hit and killed by police car