Las Vegas Grand Prix, F1 parent company are reportedly set to pay fans millions over 2023 drain cover incident
After a loose drain cover damaged cars during Las Vegas GP practice, a lawsuit led to a $3 million settlement for about 32,000 ticket holders.Summary
The inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023 was disrupted when Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz struck a loose drain cover during first‑practice, damaging his car’s floor and energy store and also harming Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. The incident forced a red‑flag and cancellation of the session, delaying the second practice and causing many spectators to leave early. In response, attorney Steve Dimopoulos filed a class‑action lawsuit claiming the organizers’ compensation was insufficient. Court documents revealed a federal judge preliminarily approved a settlement with the Las Vegas Grand Prix and its parent company Liberty Media Corp. for just over $3 million, creating a $3.05 million common fund for roughly 32,000 eligible ticket holders. Individual payouts will vary based on ticket type, participation, and administrative costs. The settlement is pending final approval in November, and the incident highlighted safety concerns for future races.
(Source：Fox News)