Mercedes joke they have ‘moved onto the strong stuff’ as weary drivers cope with delays to Las Vegas Grand Prix practice as Alfa Romeo’s crew ’embrace the Vegas spirit’ with makeshift casino

•  The Las Vegas Grand Prix has descended into a farce after chaotic start
• Second practice started at 2.30am after a loose drain cover caused huge issues
• Teams took to social media to provide entertainment amid the farcical scenes  

Formula One drivers and teams have been forced to keep themselves occupied as second practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was pushed back into the night.

The return of F1 to Sin City for the first time in 41 years has endured a nightmare start after a loose drain cover forced the first practice to be cancelled.

The issue already caused damage to the cars of Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz.

Practice was scrapped after just eight minutes when Sainz’s Ferrari whizzed past the area in question and sparks started flying from his left rear tyre. Ocon’s Alpine was then significantly affected.

Officials then announced plans for second practice to take place at 2am local time (10am GMT), before further delays saw the start time pushed back to 2.30am.

The growing frustration was expressed by teams on social media, with Williams Racing posting a photo of a weary looking Logan Sargeant lying down amid the delays.

The second practice at the F1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas was delayed until 2.30am

Williams showed the frustration of Logan Sargeant and Alexander Albon amid the delays

The Williams social media team engaged with Alpine’s offer of a game of Tic Tac Toe

A second photo of Alexander Albon was posted with a wide-eyed filter, featuring the caption ‘Delays delays = Eye bag game strong’.

Williams’ posts continued after being invited to start a game of Tic Tac Toe by Alpine F1.

Games were also taking place in the Alfa Romeo garage as they waited to get back on track.

Members of the crew were recorded playing in a makeshift casino, with the post featuring the caption ‘The crew in the garage is embracing the Vegas spirit’ in a nod to city’s famed love-affair with casinos and gambling.

Mercedes took the opportunity caused by the delays to produce sponsored content, sharing a photo of cans of Monster Energy drinks.

‘We’ve moved onto the strong stuff,’ Mercedes wrote.

The delays were best summed up by a clip posted by Alpine, with Ocon replying that he felt ‘drained’ when asked how he was feeling.

Racing driver and television presenter Karun Chandhok, speaking on F1 commentary, said teams will have worked closely to help their drivers amid the delays.

Mercedes took the opportunity to promote energy drink sponsor Monster in the early hours

‘The drivers need to manage their energy. They need to make sure they are going to peak during qualifying and the race. Hopefully they have had a a nap,’ Chandhok said.

‘They have rooms where they can go and get some sleep. It will be the job of the physios to make sure they don’t give them too much to do.’

Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, insisted drivers would be excited to race once the delays were over.

‘As soon as the drivers get in the car they will be excited, waiting around is never great, Button said.

‘They will be tired but as soon as they get their helmet on they will be excited about seeing the track and what they can do.’

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