It all started with complaints and ended in disaster. “We’ll all test positive, I swear,” Argentine Franco Colapinto said, venting his frustration over the track and atmosphere after practice.

Meanwhile, fellow South American driver for Red Bull Racing, Sergio Perez, looked drained and unimpressed and also echoed the sentiment, calling the track conditions “tiring.” But what’s worst was yet to come.

Both drivers, already on edge, faced a harsh reality as they were eliminated from Las Vegas GP Q1—each in gut-wrenching crashes. Still, the chaos didn’t overshadow the action at the top as Perez’s teammate, Max Verstappen, reminded everyone why Red Bull remains a force to be reckoned with. As Q1 neared its end, Verstappen clocked a blistering time, signaling Red Bull’s resurgence. Yet, the celebration was short-lived for the team.

While Verstappen secured third behind Mercedes stars George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, Perez’s struggles told a different story. For him, it was like a nightmare unfolding in slow motion.

“I did expect a very difficult qualifying, and yeah, it turned out to be a tough one,” admitted Sergio Perez after a shocking Q1 exit. The RB20, so dominant in Verstappen’s hands, seemed unwilling to cooperate with Perez. As rivals found pace in the session’s final moments, Perez couldn’t keep up and finished in a disheartening 16th place. It marked his sixth early elimination this season—a brutal blow in what’s already been a rough year. Meanwhile, Colapinto’s attempt to claw his way out of Q2 brought its own drama.

What exactly went down on the track?

The Argentine was pushing hard on his final lap when disaster struck at Turn 15. Turning in too early, he clipped the wall, damaging his front-left wheel. The mistake was clear, but the consequences were devastating. As he tried to salvage his lap, the car veered wildly, leaving him with nowhere to go.

However, it didn’t take long for the Las Vegas GP to grab headlines, but not for the right reasons. After the second practice session, Franco Colapinto sat down with ESPN’s Juan Fossaroli and got candid about a bizarre observation. Fossaroli noted the unmistakable smell of w—d around the venue, and Colapinto, never one to hold back, addressed it with his signature humor.

“Yes, there was a smell of w—d,” Colapinto said, laughing. “If they dope the drivers now, I think we’ll all test positive, I swear, idiot.” The young Argentine, who struggled to break past 17th and 18th in practice, added, “When we all test positive, there will be a mess.” Though his tone was playful, the underlying frustrations were clear, as the chaotic atmosphere overshadowed any focus on racing.

The crash was brutal. Colapinto’s Williams slammed into the outside wall, shedding parts as it skidded down the track. Onboard footage showed his head snapping violently, a terrifying sight for fans and teams alike. Yet, in true racing spirit, Colapinto confirmed he was okay before clambering out, visibly angry but unharmed. The Halo may have saved him, but the weekend had already spiraled out of control for the South American duo.

Interestingly, Colapinto wasn’t alone in calling out the bizarre situation. Sergio “Checo” Perez, who’s never shy about sharing his thoughts, echoes similar concerns.

While reflecting on the dirty and underwhelming conditions of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the Red Bull star added, “What is very noticeable around the circuit is the smell of marijuana throughout the night. I am already a little tired; the amount is incredible… It is a fairly complicated circuit, with very little grip,” he explained. “Practice one looked like a rally track; there was dirt everywhere.”

While we wait for any confirmation on this whole marijuana debate, what do you think who would win the Las Vegas GP?