After the opening farce: Formula 1 threatens legal repercussions
After the farce at the opening training session in Las Vegas, Formula 1 is facing legal trouble. As reported by ESPN, the law firm Dimopoulos, together with JK Legal & Consulting, has filed a class action lawsuit against the organizer of the Grand Prix in the federal court of Nevada.
The two law firms filed the suit on behalf of 35,000 fans who had purchased tickets for the opening day. Due to the defective cover of a water shaft on the asphalt, the first training session was stopped after just 19 minutes. Subsequently, all the covers of the water shafts on the entire track had to be removed and filled with sand and asphalt. The drivers were only able to take part in the second session after a delay of two and a half hours following inspections and repairs to the asphalt.
Merchandise vouchers enough compensation?
"The entire process, from identifying the problem to fixing it, took about five hours," said a statement from Formula 1 Managing Director 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 health and safety of the employees.
The organizer then offered vouchers worth 200 dollars (just over 180 euros) to all those fans who only had a ticket for the opening day. However, this form of compensation did not apply to those who had purchased tickets for all three race days. A day ticket cost several hundred dollars.
Claim: 30,000 dollars compensation per spectator
"We will defend the rights of fans who have traveled great distances and paid a small fortune but have been deprived of the experience," Steve Dimopoulos from the law firm of the same name was quoted as saying. The firm is demanding an average of around 30,000 dollars in damages per viewer.
According to ESPN, Formula 1 rights holder and Grand Prix organizer Liberty Media is 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 spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Formula 1 provides an attempt at an explanation
In a statement, Formula 1 asked for understanding from the disgruntled fans for its actions. They had to "weigh up many interests", "including the safety of all participants and the experience of the fans during the entire race weekend."
The organizers and motorsport royalty concluded their statement by noting that everyone has been to events such as concerts or other Formula 1 races "that have been cancelled due to factors such as weather or technical issues. It happens and we hope that people will understand."
After the chaotic start of the Formula 1 Grand Prix Las Vegas, fans are seeking more than merchandise vouchers as compensation. Law firms Dimopoulos and JK Legal & Consulting have filed a class action lawsuit, demanding an average of 30,000 dollars in damages per viewer, due to the significant inconvenience and the cost of the tickets.
Source: www.dpa.com
