Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix: Tens of thousands of spectators sue organizers

About 35,000 spectators who paid large sums to watch Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas file a lawsuit against race organizers after a chaotic start. Where the celebrations were launchedlast Friday.

The first free practice session was seriously disrupted by a problem with a manhole cover near Bellagio, resulting in serious damage to Spaniard Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.

Spectators were forced to leave their seats in the stands while drivers drove through the famous area for just eight minutes.

All manhole covers in the urban circuit had to be checked and secured to avoid any further incidents, a decision by officials that led to a delay for the rest of the day.

Auditions finally resumed after a wait of 2 hours and 30 minutes, but the audience was unable to return to their seats due to staff shortages.

Photo by Agence France-Presse

$15,000 in compensation

Five people have been named as plaintiffs in this class action lawsuit, which seeks damages exceeding $15,000, according to the British Daily Mail. Las Vegas Journal Review.

“We will defend the rights of fans who traveled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend the race, but were deprived of that experience,” attorney Steve Demopoulos, the attorney for those spectators, said in a statement reported by the media.

Getty Images via AFP

A Formula 1 spokesman, contacted by Agence France-Presse, confirmed this collective action, without wishing to comment further.

“Our priority is to ensure that our fans have an entertainment experience in a safe and secure environment,” he said.

As a consolation prize, ticket holders for Thursday alone received a $200 voucher to spend at official Grand Prix stores, Formula 1 announced on Friday evening.