Formula 1 is putting on a Hollywood-style appearance in Las Vegas – for several reasons. After the opening farce, it’s lawyers’ turn. It’s about billions of dollars in damages.
After the glittering comeback in Las Vegas, Formula 1 is threatened with a billion-dollar hangover. A Hollywood law firm wants to enforce the interests of 35,000 angry fans after the farce surrounding a defective water shaft and the evacuation of the stands.
According to the lawyers, a class action lawsuit has already been filed in Nevada federal court. The damages demanded for the embarrassment of Formula 1 during the opening training are beyond belief: it is at least 1.05 billion US dollars, the equivalent of around 960 million euros.
The Las Vegas-based law firm Dimopoulos, whose appearance could be the template for a legal thriller by best-selling author John Grisham, together with JK Legal & Consulting wants to hold the organizer of the Formula 1 race and the company entrusted with the maintenance of the track accountable. It is about the “allegation of breach of contract, negligence and misleading trade practices against the defendants,” the specialist portal “motorsport.com” quoted from the complaint.
High sum in the room
“We will defend the rights of fans who have traveled great distances and paid small fortunes but have been deprived of the experience,” Steve Dimopoulos from the law firm of the same name was quoted as saying.
On average, this demands at least $30,000 in damages per viewer. “Our law firm recovers millions of dollars every month on behalf of our clients,” it says on the homepage. And if you’re successful, you might even get a T-shirt from the firm’s own fan shop – but the angry fans will hardly laugh about that.
“If I were a fan, I would tear the whole place down”
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. In this context there is talk of 35,000 people. “If I were a fan, I would tear the whole place down,” said world champion Max Verstappen on Dutch TV, supporting the alienated visitors.
Those who were able to stay until the race were treated to a lot of action during the Dutchman’s Grand Prix success. Anyone who had only bought a ticket for the opening day was already looking into the tube. The first training session was canceled after just 19 minutes due to a defective cover for a water shaft on the asphalt.
Clearing the stands out of concern for public safety?
All covers of the water shafts along the entire route then had to be removed and filled with sand and asphalt. “The entire process, from identifying the problem to fixing it, took approximately five hours,” said a statement from Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali and race organizer Renee Wilm on Friday (local time).
The pilots were only able to take part in the second session after a delay of two and a half hours. However, the fan zones had long since been cleared. The organizer justified this measure essentially with the occupational safety of employees and concern for public safety.
According to the plaintiff, the track was not ready for racing
According to the Dimopoulos law firm, the track was “not in a 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.”
In a statement, Formula 1 asked the fans for their understanding of their actions. They had to “weigh up many interests,” “including the safety of all participants and the fans’ experience throughout the entire race weekend.”
Plaintiff demands “damages for mental anguish”
The organizers and the motorsport premier class concluded their statement by saying that everyone had been to events “that were canceled due to factors such as weather or technical problems. This happens and we hope people will understand it “.
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.
General Counsel as Chief Organizer in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is a prestigious project for Formula 1. Because of all the possible conflicts in advance – such as road closures or trouble with residents – she had made her general counsel Renee Wilm the chief organizer of the race. If anyone knows about terms and conditions, it’s her.
“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.” Now it’s the Nevada federal court’s turn.