Around 35,000 spectators who paid the highest price for Formula 1 to return to Las Vegas sued the race organizers after the chaotic start in which the start of the celebrations took placelast Friday.
The first free practice session was significantly disrupted by a problem with a loose manhole cover near the Bellagio, causing serious damage to Spaniard Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.
Carlos Sainz gets out of his car during free practice on Thursday. Photo AFP
The spectators had to leave their seats in the stands while the drivers had only been on the famous strip for eight minutes.
To avoid further incidents, all manhole covers on the street circuit had to be checked and secured, a decision by officials which was therefore delayed until the rest of the day.
After a wait of 2 hours and 30 minutes, testing finally resumed, but the public was unable to return to their seats due to staff shortages.
Photo AFP
Compensation of $15,000
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, five people have been named as plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit, which seeks more than $15,000 in damages.
“We will defend the rights of fans who traveled long distances and paid small fortunes to attend the race but were deprived of the experience,” attorney Steve Dimopoulos, an attorney for those spectators, said in a statement distributed by the media.
Photo Getty Images via AFP
An F1 spokesman contacted by AFP confirmed this collective action without wishing to comment further.
“Our priority is to ensure our fans have an entertaining experience in a safe environment,” he said.
As a consolation prize, ticket holders received a voucher worth $200 for Thursday alone, which they could redeem in the official Grand Prix stores, Formula 1 announced on Friday evening.