F1 News: Drivers Highlight Point Las Vegas GP Circuit Problem That Caused An "Unfair" Race Start

The cars dropped oil which made the slippery circuit, a lot more slippery.

Formula 1 drivers have pointed out a big problem they faced at the Las Vegas Grand Prix race start that could have had serious repercussions. Drivers called out the FIA for a permanent solution to the "unfair" and "unacceptable" condition of the starting grid with oil on it.

As a tradition for each race, the 20 drivers are introduced to the grandstands by participating in a parade lap. Typically, vintage cars, driven by their owners, are chosen for this presentation.

When there were 90 minutes to go before the race start, the classic cars carrying Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton leaked oil onto the grid on the side closest to the pit wall. The marshals stepped into action to spread cement dust on the spot to soak up the oil, but maybe that wasn't enough to solve the problem.

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz revealed that the oil on the grid caused him to slide into Lewis Hamilton on Turn 1. Suggesting that the oil-stained track condition was unacceptable and that the FIA must look into the matter, he said:

"I saw a lot of oil from the cars that we used to do the drivers' parade, which is another thing for the FIA to look at.

"It is not fair that all the oil was on the inside line. Apart from the dirty track already being there, we put cars on that are leaking oil on the track an hour before the race. Again, this is unacceptable.

"That probably cost us with the crashes into Turn 1."

Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, who finished P11, commented on similar lines. He said:

"It wasn't nice, especially lining up on the best spot of the year for us [in fourth].

"I've discussed it already with FIA, and I'm sure we'll change a few things, because it doesn't feel really fair that some guy's got to start on oil and some others have clear Tarmac. I'm sure they'll fix it."

Director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association George Russell, who started P3, said:

"It's not the first time we've seen these historical cars dropping oil.

"It was pretty shocking to see how bad it was. But they did a good job to clear it up for the race."