{"id":295641,"date":"2023-11-19T19:25:59","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:25:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=295641"},"modified":"2023-11-19T19:25:59","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T19:25:59","slug":"las-vegas-gp-diary-as-security-heightened-with-hotel-room-checks-ahead-of-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/racing\/f1\/las-vegas-gp-diary-as-security-heightened-with-hotel-room-checks-ahead-of-race\/","title":{"rendered":"Las Vegas GP diary as security heightened with hotel room checks ahead of race"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Security for the Las Vegas Grand Prix has been ramped up with every hotel room at the major venues on the famous strip being searched at least once a day. Guests at the Paris Hotel were served with written notices that their rooms will be subject to random checks.<\/p>\n

Despite a delayed FP2 not finishing until 3.30am on Friday morning, security performed their first checks off the day by waking everybody up individually shortly after 9am.<\/p>\n

This is no mean task as some hotels have over 5,000 rooms. In 2017, a shooter at the Mandalay Bay hotel tragically killed 60 and injured over 400 more during a music festival. The Grand Prix track is not visible from that venue but is from many other hotels, and the authorities are taking no risks.<\/p>\n

There has been no warning of any threat in Nevada but security is clearly a top priority and being taken seriously. Transparent bags are mandatory on site of the Grand Prix and there are numerous scanners upon entry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Meanwhile, PokerStars took Express Sport behind the scenes for a sit down with Max Verstappen and the Dutchman has never appeared more relaxed, despite not getting to sleep until 6am following the second practice session. The 26-year-old happily answered any questions and signed memorabilia for other guests at the exclusive chat.<\/p>\n

Fans finally got to see cars on the track during FP3 following a disappointing opening day where FP1 was cancelled after just eight minutes and FP2 was postponed until 2am – 30 minutes after all supporters had been kicked out.<\/p>\n

However, there was no full practice session on his occasion either as Logan Sargeant lost a tyre when clipping the wall. With only four minutes remaining on the clock, time was called early.<\/p>\n