Haas confirms: Debt to former sponsor paid, repossession averted
F1 News
- Ludo van Denderen
For Haas F1 this weekend in the Netherlands, there is a battle not only on track but also off it. Former main sponsor Uralkali had asked a Dutch court to seize the F1 team's assets because the American team did not comply with a court order to repay 12 million euros. But the team has now informed GPblog that the problem is behind them.
A spokesperson for Haas F1 confirmed to this website that the debt was paid in full on Friday, and the money was deposited into an account suggested by Russia's Uralkali. The repossession has been averted, and Haas can travel to the Italian Grand Prix "as normal" in a week's time. The latter had become uncertain if the court in the Netherlands had heeded the oil company's request.
Haas and Uralkali diametrically opposed
There had been bickering between Uralkali and Haas for some time. After their relationship with the F1 team ended, the Russian company wanted a hefty sum in return, but Haas F1 initially did not want it. However, a Swiss court ruled two months ago that Haas did have to make payment, so the team did not do so until this weekend.
Uralkali is part of Uralchem United Chemicals Company. Dmitry Mazepin, the father of former Haas driver Nikita Mazepin, is the chairman of the board of this Russian company. Since Haas sidelined the driver, the company and the F1 team have been opposed.
This article has been written in collaboration with Matt Gretton
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