LAS VEGAS (AP) Formula 1 parent company Liberty Media, which also promotes the Las Vegas Grand Prix , has agreed to a settlement of about $3 million to end a class-action lawsuit brought by spectators regarding the inaugural 2023 race.
The opening-night practice session on Nov. 16, 2023, was halted after nine minutes when Carlos Sainz Jr. drove over a water valve cover that severely damaged his Ferrari. Practice didnt resume until the early morning hours of Nov. 17, ending at about 4 a.m. local time.
Fans were removed from the viewing areas before the 90-minute session took place.
Those who had tickets for only that practice session or bought three-night tickets are eligible for compensation under the settlement. Claims must be filed by Aug. 27.
Liberty Media and the Las Vegas Grand Prix did not admit fault under the settlement. A final approval hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 at U.S. District Court of Nevada.
The $500 million race in 2023 was supposed to be F1s coming-out party on the Las Vegas Strip, and the practice-night crash as well as the disruptions to Las Vegas-area residents during months of preparation didnt make for a promising start.
But the race itself was among the best on the circuit that season, and Max Verstappen sang Viva Las Vegas as he crossed the finish line for his 18th victory that year.
F1 announced a 10-year extension last month that will keep the circuit in Las Vegas through at least 2037.
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AP auto racing:
拉斯维加斯（美联社）——一级方程式赛车母公司自由媒体集团已同意支付约300万美元和解金，以了结观众就2023年首届拉斯维加斯大奖赛提起的集体诉讼。该集团同时负责该赛事的推广工作。
2023年11月16日的开幕夜练习赛开始仅9分钟便被迫中断，起因是小卡洛斯·塞恩斯的法拉利赛车碾过井盖导致严重损坏。练习赛直至11月17日凌晨才恢复进行，并于当地时间约凌晨4时结束。
在这场90分钟的活动开始前，观众已被清离观赛区域。
根据和解协议，仅持有该场练习赛门票或购买了三晚套票的观众有资格获得赔偿。索赔申请须在8月27日前提交。
根据和解协议，自由媒体集团（Liberty Media）和拉斯维加斯大奖赛（Las Vegas Grand Prix）均未承认过错。最终批准听证会定于11月4日在内华达州美国地方法院举行。
这场耗资5亿美元的2023年赛事本应是F1在拉斯维加斯大道上的闪亮登场，然而练习赛夜间的撞车事故，以及长达数月的筹备工作对当地居民造成的干扰，都未能带来一个良好的开端。
但那场比赛本身堪称当季赛程中最精彩的较量之一。马克斯·维斯塔潘冲过终点线时高唱《拉斯维加斯万岁》，庆祝他当年第18次夺冠。
国际汽联一级方程式锦标赛（F1）上月宣布延长合约10年，拉斯维加斯赛道将至少保留至2037年。
美联社赛车新闻：
