A law firm has launched legal action over the ejection of an F1 Las Vegas GP spectator

It seeks “excess” amounts of $30,000 per spectator, split equally between “general” and “special” damages.

After Thursday’s incident involving Carlos Sainz forced the halt of FP1, there was a long delay while the water valve caps were checked.

FP2 was supposed to start at midnight, and finally started at 2:30 AM. However, the venue was cleared of spectators at 1.30am due to staffing and security issues.

Affected spectators on Friday were offered a $200 voucher to spend at the venue’s merchandise locations.

On Friday evening, law firm Dimopoulos, working in conjunction with JK Legal & Consulting, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 spectators it says were at the track on Thursday.

“The lawsuit alleges breach of contract, negligence and deceptive trade practices against the defendants,” the action states, namely Las Vegas GP and TAB Contractors Inc., the company involved in maintaining the track.

“We will defend the rights of fans who traveled long distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience,” noted lead attorney Steve Demopoulos, known around the city for his personal injury cases and through billboards and television ads. ”

The measure recaps Thursday evening’s events, although it incorrectly states practice will resume at 3:30 a.m. instead of 2:30 a.m.

The letter states: “The manhole cover seals that were intended to surround the manhole cover were installed, worked on and inspected by Defendant TAB in the context and scope of their contract to work on the subject track and make the track ready for racing.

“Work on the track by TAB, including the installation of the failed manhole cover and concrete works to seal the manhole cover, was completed just days before the ‘practice run’ event and the track was not in race-ready condition at the time.” From the event.

It states that “Formula 1 and/or its contractors and safety organizations had a duty to inspect the track to ensure that it was safe for use by racers and was ready to race for the ‘practice run’ event” and “failed to disclose this”. Defects and/or poor installation of a TAB sealed manhole cover and failure to ensure the track is race ready for a “practice run” event.

The claim also refers to the conditions for the tickets, indicating that if the event is canceled and not rescheduled, a refund at face value will be due.

It adds that “as of the time of filing this complaint, none of the attendees and/or invitees who purchased tickets to the ‘Hands-On’ event, and were denied the opportunity to attend the same event through no fault of their own, have received and/or been offered any refunds.” In exchange for their tickets.

The claim seeks “money damages in an amount that fairly and reasonably compensates them for the harm caused by the defendants.”

“In addition, Plaintiffs seek damages for mental anguish in an amount determined by the jury to be fair and reasonable given the defendant’s willful, reckless, and willful conduct.”

Formula One is aware of this allegation, but its spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Motorsport.com.