Las Vegas GP hit with class action lawsuit!

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A Las Vegas law firm has filed a class action lawsuit against the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix following the cancellation of the event’s opening practice and the subsequent ejection of 35,000 fans from the circuit.

On Thursday, just nine minutes into first practice, the session was halted when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz hit and dislodged a water valve cover, an incident that severely damaged the Spaniard’s SF-23 F1 car.

The session was eventually cancelled as Las Vegas GP maintenance crews verified the remaining water valve covers and manholes located around the track.

F1’s second practice was due to start at midnight local time, but the session was pushed back until 2:30am to allow for the track inspection to be completed.

Meanwhile unionized security staff working at the track concluded their shift before FP2 got underway. With no personnel available to help with security or logistics in the public zones of the track during the session, it was decided to close all public areas, including all grandstands, and send spectators home.

Read also: No refund for ejected Las Vegas GP fans – and no apologies

One-day ticket holders from late Thursday and early Friday were given compensation in the form of a $200 voucher to be spent at F1’s on-site merchandise shop.

F1 and the Las Vegas GP organizer published several press releases in the past 24 hours explaining the situation, although the communication stopped short of expressing an formal apology to the fans.

On Saturday, Las Vegas-based Dimopoulos Law Firm and co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting announced that they had filed a suit in Nevada District Court on behalf of 35,000 fans who purchased tickets to Thursday’s practice.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are Liberty Media Corporation, doing business as Formula One Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix and TAB Contractors, Inc. The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, negligence and deceptive trade practices against the defendants.

"There are a number of issues with that [compensation]," Steve Dimopoulos told Reuters on Saturday. "Clearly that [$200 merchandise voucher] is not a refund that is sufficient.

"A lot of fans probably don't even want that, they want their money back.

"There are also peripheral issues of what about the people that came in from out of town and paid for substantial air fare and hotels."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.