Judge dismisses portion of F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix lawsuit related to ’23 water valve incident.
A class action lawsuit resulting from an incident on the track at the inaugural Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 has been partially dismissed. U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro ruled that while the plaintiffs had a valid claim for injury, their breach of contract, negligence, and deceptive trade practice allegations were not sufficiently substantiated. The lawsuit, brought by a group of race ticket holders against F1’s parent company Liberty Media and Las Vegas Paving, sought $5 billion in damages.
The legal action was prompted by a loose water valve during a practice session in 2023 that caused damage to several race cars, leading to a 2½-hour delay. As a result, the 35,000 ticket holders for that evening’s practice rounds had to vacate an hour before the resumption of the delayed session. The plaintiffs, including James Dayap, Matt Raddue, Carlos Mauricio Gil, Jory Levy, and Jack Diep, aimed to recover costs for tickets, travel, accommodation, and other expenses related to the race.
Despite two of the original plaintiffs, Raddue and Mauricio Gil, withdrawing from the case in 2024, the remaining group pursued reimbursement from the defendants. In response to the incident, F1 compensated some affected fans with a $200 credit to its online merchandise store. The Las Vegas Grand Prix authorities opted not to comment on the court’s decision, while the legal representatives for the plaintiffs were unavailable for immediate comment on their intention to file an amended complaint within the allotted three-week timeframe.
Upholding the complaint’s validity in part, Judge Navarro dismissed Las Vegas Paving from the lawsuit and granted the plaintiffs 21 days post-ruling to refine their case against Liberty Media concerning the breach of contract specification. The lawsuit highlights the complexities and liabilities associated with major sporting events and serves as a reminder to organizers of the need for robust safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
With a potential amended complaint on the horizon, the outcome of this case may set a precedent for future legal actions stemming from incidents at large-scale events. The Las Vegas Grand Prix and Liberty Media, under the scrutiny of this lawsuit, may be under heightened pressure to ensure strict adherence to safety measures in future Formula One races. As the legal process unfolds, the integrity and accountability of event organizers and stakeholders will be under close scrutiny, reinforcing the importance of diligence and preparedness in hosting prestigious sporting events.
