Motorsport News

Las Vegas Grand Prix Endures More Egg on its Face with Class-Action Lawsuit

F1 Grand Prix Of Las Vegas Practice

In response to Thursdayʻs debacle to begin the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Dimopoulos Law Firm, working in conjunction with JK Legal & Consulting, filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the 35,000 fans it purported attended the event. 

After the first practice was halted eight minutes into the session when Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz suffered damage owing to a loose water valve cover, event managers evacuated the crowd prior to the second practice, starting after a five-hour interruption. Hence, fans who paid for tickets for the day and anticipated seeing two practice sessions enjoyed just a brief few moments of action.

The law firm seeks damages from Las Vegas GP, who are the organizers, and TAB Contractors Inc., who are in charge of maintaining the track.  The suit comes on the heels of the statement released from F1 on Friday that came across more as an excuse than an apology.

From a legal standpoint, offering an apology would have more easily opened the prospect of a lawsuit because it would admit culpability in the matter. Instead, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, and Renee Wilm, CEO of the LVGP, offered, “We have all been to events, like concerts, games, and even other Formula 1 races, that have been canceled because of factors like weather or technical issues. It happens, and we hope people will understand.”

In conjunction, the organizers offered the fans $200 vouchers for the F1 store as a form of compensation. 

The law firm has stated its claim asks for “money damages in an amount that will fairly and reasonably compensate them for the harm caused by the defendants. In addition, the plaintiffs claim damages for mental anguish in an amount to be determined by the jury that is fair and reasonable in consideration of the wilful, reckless, and intentional conduct of the defendant.”

Neither the LVGP nor the F1 have responded to the lawsuit, aside from stating that they will not comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit follows a trend of bad press and reactions to the race.  Many residents expressed disdain toward the event, one that has caused traffic problems for the balance of the year, along with having exorbitant ticket prices that locals cannot afford.  Add Max Verstappenʻs comment of the race being “99% show and 1% sport” and further asserted, “I love Vegas, but not to drive an F1 car. I love to go out, have a few drinks, throw everything on red, be crazy, have nice food. … But like I…

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