Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Formula 1
Ryan Smart
F1 fans have filed a class-action lawsuit against the organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix following 'farcical' scenes before the second practice session.
The weekend got off to the worst possible start on Thursday, with Carlos Sainz's Ferrari being destroyed by a manhole cover.
The Spaniard incurred a 10-place grid penalty - despite his time applying for dispensation - as a result of an engine change, and the second practice session was delayed for several hours as stewards and marshals performed safety checks on the track.
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You can watch the footage of Sainz's incident below.
Second practice eventually got underway at 2:30am local time - almost six hours after the first session was cancelled.
But all 20 drivers got the opportunity to get some much-needed time on the track, the grandstands were completely empty.
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That is because fans were asked to leave the circuit before the session got underway.
The organisers released a statement which read: "Given the lateness of the hour and logistical concerns regarding the safe movement of fans and employees out of the circuit, LVGP made the difficult decision to close the fan zones prior to the beginning of free practice two."
FIA president Stefano Domenicali and Renee WIlm, CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, confirmed in a joint statement on Friday that the track had been closed due to safety and legal reasons.
Now, as per Associated Press, angry fans have filed a lawsuit against the race organisers and F1's owners, Liberty Media, and are seeking at least $30,000 in damages.
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Steve Dimopulos, the owner of Dimpoulos Law Firm - who have presented the lawsuit alongside co-counsel JK Legal & Consulting, said (via ITV): "We will vindicate the rights of the fans that travelled great distances and paid small fortunes to attend, but were deprived of the experience."
Officials have offered fans a $200 discount in the official gift shop. But the offer applies to single-event ticket holders, AP report, and does not apply to many fans who had three-day passes.
SPORTbible has contacted the Las Vegas Grand Prix for comment.