Police were seen clearing out the grandstands shortly before FP2 got underway after a💝 delay of two-and-a-half hours while drain cover fixes were implemented. 

It came after opening practice was cancelled after just eight minutes when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz struck a loose water valve cover, causing damage to both his car an𒆙d Esteban Ocon’s Alpine.&nbs𝕴p;

Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater reported that fans “waited patiently” for up to f😼ive hours in the hope of seeing some action before being told to leave at 1.30am local time. 

Slater said he understood this was “due to the contract of the staff members here elapsing at thꦿat time” but added “there was no prior warning that this could happen”. 

“Ridiculous,” one fan told Sky. “We waited for four hours and they gave us hope by saying ‘at 2am we’r🔜e going to 📖have the race’. 

“But nothing happened. And no🌳w they are telling us to leave. So what a night!”

Another explained: “We came from Los Angeles, we flew only for today. We spent the money for the airplane, the tickets for this pla🌞ce, and nothing.”

One said: “I’ve been here foওr the last two-to-three hours at least and th꧋en we were asked to leave. 

“We were not sure if the practice is still going to go ahead or not but the fans were asked to leave. It🌜 was ki🥂nd of disappointing.”

Another added: “There was optimism and hope that it would continue. We got 10 minꦜutes at the beginning and the🔯n we sat, we waited, we hung out. 

“The food was good, drinks were good, bꦕut we sat and nothing happened.”

The organisers of the race issued the following statement: "There is no higher priority at a Formula 1 race than the safety and security of driver✅s, fans and staff alike. 

"Following last night's incident involving a water valve cover, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, F1 and the FIA decided to take extra precautions to ensure the integrity of the track💖 prior to the resumption of racing. 

"These additional measures required multiple hours to fully complete, 𓃲which led to a significant delay in th♓e race schedule.

"Given the lateness of the hour and logistical concerns re𓃲garding the safe movement of fans and employees out of the circuit, LVGP made the difficult decision to close the fan zones prior to the beginning of Free Practice 2. 

"With a full round of practice successfully completed, LVGP looks forward to providing a sa♈fe and entertaining race weekend for all."