F1 Sues Las Vegas Gift Shop

August 22, 2025

Not all the Formula 1 lawsuits in Vegas are filed by small businesses against the Euro-centric speed spectacle.  Some go the other way around.

The corporation behind the Las Vegas Grand Prix recently filed a complaint against Bonanza Gift Shop and sister store, Crazy Ely, for peddling counterfeit F1 merch during the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023.

The claims are trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Bonanza is the self-proclaimed “world’s largest gift shop” just south of the Strat.  (We’re currently in the process of verifying its claim for a potential “Vegas Myths Busted” column.)

Peddle to the Metal

During the 2023 race, F1 sent detectives to both businesses.  They were successful in taking 69 illegal Formula One goods from Crazy Ely.  However, according to F1, by the time they got to Bonanza a half mile away, there were no counterfeits to capture, only empty shelves where they likely would have been exhibited.

F1 states that Bonanza had been advised by the other retailer to empty its shelves quickly (which hopefully is a lesson learnt about how to conduct proper trademark investigations).

According to F1, the two stores sold 2,400 counterfeit goods between June and November 2023, and they still do.  Claiming that it has suffered “irreparable injury” to its reputation, it seeks a jury trial and potential damages of up to $1 million.

In relation to this issue, F1 also sued E&B Wholesalers in May, claiming that the motorsports firm produced and supplied the bootlegs to the two gift stores (as well as two others).