Las Vegas
Class action lawsuit against Formula 1: allegation of negligence
The opening training session in Las Vegas was canceled after a few minutes. photo
© Darron Cummings/AP/dpa
Formula 1 makes a memorable appearance in Las Vegas. After the farce surrounding a defective water shaft and the evacuation of the fan zones, it’s lawyers’ turn. It’s about high damages.
After the farce at the opening training in In Las Vegas, Formula 1 is facing allegations of negligence in a legal dispute. The Dimopoulos law firm, together with JK Legal & Consulting, says it has filed a class action lawsuit against the organizer of the Grand Prix in Nevada federal court. This was reported by ESPN, among others.
The first training session on Thursday was canceled after just 19 minutes due to a defective cover for a water shaft on the asphalt. Only after hours of inspections and repairs on the asphalt was the second session played in front of the long-vacated stands.
It is about the “allegation of breach of contract, negligence and misleading commercial practices against the defendants,” quoted the specialist portal “motorsport.com” from the complaint. According to the Dimopoulos law firm, the track “was not in race-ready condition at the time of the event.” The lawsuit goes on to say that Formula 1 management, which is also hosting a race for the first time in Las Vegas, failed to “recognize the defects and/or inadequate installation” of the sealed water shaft and to ensure that the track was ready to race for training.”
Demanded $30,000 in damages per viewer
The Dimopoulos law firm has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 fans who bought tickets for opening day. The lawyers are demanding at least $30,000 in damages per viewer. This means at least 1.05 billion US dollars, the equivalent of around 960 million euros.
Formula 1 had offered vouchers worth $200 (around 183 euros) to all fans who had a ticket that cost several hundred dollars just for the opening day. According to the plaintiff, the astonished spectators were not offered a refund of the entrance fee. They are now demanding financial compensation for these fans.
“In addition, plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for mental anguish in an amount to be determined by the jury that is fair and reasonable in light of defendants’ willful, reckless and deliberate conduct,” the lawsuit said.
The organizer basically justified the nighttime evacuation of the fan zones with the occupational safety of the employees and concern for public safety. “We cannot comment on legal disputes,” a Grand Prix spokesman was quoted as saying. “Our focus is providing our fans with an entertaining experience in a safe environment, which is always our top priority.”