Were you unable to watch the practice run at the 2023 Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix? You aren't alone. F1 left tens of thousands of ticketholders in the dark after they paid premium prices to watch their favorite sport. Find out your rights to potential compensation »
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Hagens Berman and Las Vegas law firms Dimopoulos Injury Law and JK Legal & Consulting have filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of approximately 35,000 attendees of the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix practice run event in November 2023. The lawsuit alleges that 9 minutes into the practice run, a manhole cover on the track became dislodged, causing damage to two of the racecars and stopping the race immediately. The event failed, yet F1 in no way offered compensation to ticketholders, which attorneys say constitutes negligence, breach of contract and violations of other consumer protection laws.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M AFFECTED?
The class consists of all invitees and attendees of the 2023 Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix practice run event who, in addition to their ticket purchases, suffered damages such as accommodations, lodging and travel to attend the practice run event. The ticket prices varied based on location and seating position but ranged, generally, from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars.
ABOUT THE LAS VEGAS F1 MANHOLE COVER DEBACLE
The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, held on Nov. 18, 2023, marked the first Formula One race in Las Vegas since 1982. The event took place around the Las Vegas Strip on a brand new street track, making it the first street race in the city since 2007.
According to the filed class-action lawsuit, the manhole cover seals that were supposed to surround the manhole covers along the Las Vegas Strip Circuit racetrack were installed, worked on and inspected by LV Paving Corp. in the course and scope of their contract to work to make the track race-ready. LV’s work to prepare the track was performed only days ahead of the practice run event, and the track was not in race-ready condition at the time of the event, according to the class action.
Attorneys state, “F1 and/or its contractors and safety organizations had a duty to inspect the track to make sure that it was safe for use by the racers and was race-ready.” F1 and/or its contractors and safety organizations failed to detect the flaws and/or poor installation of the manhole cover sealed by LV Paving Corp., failing the event’s 35,000 attendees.
A TIMELINE OF EVENTS
- On or about November 16, 2023, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Defendant F1 conducted and/or caused to be conducted a “Practice Run” event wherein the drivers participating in the main F1 Race were to take practice and qualifying laps.
- Approximately 9 minutes into the Practice Run, a manhole cover on the track became dislodged, causing damage to two of the racecars, and stopping the race immediately. Carlos Sainz Jr. was forced to stop on the lengthy Las Vegas Strip section of the 3.9-mile track. His car floor was damaged extensively, as was Esteban Ocon’s.
- The event was rescheduled to re-start at 1:30 a.m.
- The event did not re-start until 3:30 a.m. and none of the invitees were allowed to watch the event live as they were escorted off the property at 1:30 a.m.
According to media reports, Sainz was handed a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Grand Prix, after having to change “key parts” of his vehicle. He told outlets that mechanics put on a “heroic effort” to build him essentially a “brand new car” after the extensive damage to his car.
YOUR RIGHTS AS A TICKETHOLDER
You and tens of thousands of others paid a premium price hoping to have front-row access to a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. We believe F1 and its contractors failed consumers due to its racetrack preparation errors, meaning viewers did not get what they paid for. Hagens Berman and our partner Las Vegas-based law firms believe that consumers who paid to watch the most anticipated Formula One event should have been able to do just that. We intend to fight for reimbursement for consumers who paid F1 and only received a letdown.
TOP CONSUMER RIGHTS FIRM
Hagens Berman is one of the most successful consumer protection law firms in the U.S. and has achieved more than $320 billion in settlements against some of the nation's most powerful corporations and institutions. Your claim will be handled by attorneys well-practiced in this area of consumer law.
NO COST TO YOU
There is no cost or fee whatsoever involved in joining this action. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class's legal team. In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum.
