Ferrari's Formula 1 team principal, Fred Vasseur, has announced plans for a "private discussion" with the stakeholders of the Las Vegas Grand Prix regarding potential compensation for the damage sustained by Carlos Sainz's car during the first practice session.

The discussion comes in light of a previous incident at the 2017 Malaysian GP, where Romain Grosjean's Haas car suffered significant damage after hitting a loose drain cover. A precedent was set for compensation in that case, prompting Ferrari to explore the possibility for the Vegas incident.

Vasseur clarified that the stakeholders that will be involved in the discussion are Liberty Media and Formula 1, as the race is promoted in-house rather than by a local entity. The Ferrari boss emphasized that the crash not only impacted the team's budget but also resulted in unforeseen expenses, such as the need to fly an additional spare chassis from Italy to Abu Dhabi.

As Vasseur mentioned, the financial repercussions are extensive, as various components of the car, including the loom, gearbox, battery, and engine, were damaged beyond repair. These extra costs will inevitably affect Ferrari's budget cap spending as they navigate the aftermath of the incident.

While the financial implications are a primary concern, Vasseur also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the response of the marshals. He stated that the marshals had seen the stray object on the track and displayed a yellow flag but only red-flagged the session a minute later after Sainz had already run over the object. Vasseur expressed his belief that the delay in red-flagging was excessive.

In addition to seeking compensation, Vasseur intends to address the issue of damage caused by similar incidents that are beyond the team's control and how those expenses should be accounted for in the budget cap.

The outcome of the discussion remains uncertain. Vasseur acknowledged that while it is an important topic to address, the decision ultimately lies with the stakeholders involved. The private meeting will provide an opportunity to explore the full extent of the incident, including the financial, sporting, and logistical consequences experienced by Ferrari.

As the discussion unfolds, it will be interesting to see whether compensation will be granted to Ferrari for the damage suffered by Sainz's car in Las Vegas, and whether it will prompt changes in how such incidents are handled in the future.