Class action lawsuit filed
Formula 1 is threatened with repercussions because of the gully gate
November 19, 2023, 1:29 a.m
The start of the long-awaited Grand Prix in Las Vegas was canceled after a short time due to problems with a manhole cover. Tens of thousands of disappointed fans remain behind. Two law firms are now taking action against the organizer on their behalf.
After the farce at the opening training in Las Vegas, Formula 1 is threatened with legal trouble. As ESPN reported, the Dimopoulos law firm, along with JK Legal & Consulting, said it has filed a class action lawsuit against the Grand Prix organizer in Nevada federal court. The two law firms filed this lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 fans who had bought tickets for the opening day.
The first training session was canceled after just 19 minutes due to a defective cover for a water shaft on the asphalt. All covers of the water shafts along the entire route then had to be removed and filled with sand and asphalt. It was only two and a half hours late that the pilots were able to take part in the second session after inspections and repairs on the asphalt.
“The entire process, from identifying the problem to fixing it, took approximately five hours,” said a statement from Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and race organizer Renee Wilm. The fan zones had long since been cleared by the organizer by the start of the second session. The organizer justified this measure essentially with the occupational safety of the employees.
Formula 1 asked fans for their understanding
The organizer then offered all those fans who had a ticket only for the opening day vouchers worth 200 dollars (a good 180 euros). However, this form of compensation did not apply to those who had purchased tickets for all three days of racing. A day ticket cost several hundred dollars.
According to ESPN, Formula 1 rights holder and Grand Prix organizer Liberty Media are named in the class action lawsuit. “We cannot comment on litigation. Our focus is on providing our fans with an entertaining experience in a safe environment, which is always our top priority,” a Grand Prix spokesman was quoted as saying.
In a statement, Formula 1 asked for the understanding of the angry fans for their actions. “Many interests had to be weighed up,” “including the safety of all participants and the fans’ experience throughout the entire race weekend.” The organizers and the motorsport premier class concluded their statement by saying that everyone had been to events such as concerts or other Formula 1 races “that were canceled due to factors such as weather or technical problems. It happens, and we hope that people will understand that.”