Formula 1 hit with lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 furious fans over Las Vegas drama
hit with lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 furious over Las Vegas drama
A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix as the fallout from lost track action at the start of the weekend continues.
The suit, filed by Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting in Nevada District Court on behalf of 35,000 fans, alleges breach of contract, negligence and deceptive trade practices.
Formula 1 came in for renewed criticism on Friday (US time) after refusing to apologise or issue refunds to disgruntled fans who witnessed just eight minutes of track action on a farcical opening day.
Racegoers, some of whom had paid thousands of dollars for their tickets, were left furious after waiting in the cold for almost six hours to watch a heavily delayed second practice, only to be forcibly removed from the circuit half an hour before it started.
Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali and Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm issued a lengthy statement on Friday justifying their actions, explaining the delay was down to FIA staff being forced to make repairs to the circuit after a manhole cover became dislodged in FP1.
“We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula 1 races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues,” read the statement. “It happens, and we hope people will understand.”
“We have all been to events, like concerts, games and even other Formula 1 races, that have been cancelled because of factors like weather or technical issues,” read the statement. “It happens, and we hope people will understand.”
It is understood that was a legal decision as to apologise might have constituted an acceptance of liability, which could have meant an obligation to issue refunds.
As opposed to a full refund, single-day ticket holders have instead been offered a $US200 ($307) voucher for the Las Vegas Grand Prix official shop. Telegraph Sport went to a merchandise store at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to see what that might buy you. A Mercedes hoodie was $US210, a Ferrari hoodie was $US328. Aston Martin team issue caps were $US100.
“We will vindicate the rights of the fans that travelled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience,” Dimopoulos Law Firm owner and lead attorney Steve Dimopoulos said in a statement
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