Uralkali – Haas’ former title sponsor – has reportedly asked the Dutch court to seize the team’s F1 cars and spare parts at the Dutch Grand Prix, which would prevent them from racing in Monza next weekend.
The Russian potash fertiliser company became the title sponsor of the North Carolina-based squad in 2021, and played a significant role in bringing Nikita Mazepin into the team.
However, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Haas terminated their partnership with the company. Uralkali, who had already paid a large chunk of their sponsorship fee up front, took issue with this.
Now they are taking action. According to a report from RacingNews365, appraisers were present in the Zandvoort paddock on Thursday to calculate a valuation for Haas’ cars and equipment.
Uralkali are requesting that there be a full seizure of the team’s assets after the Dutch Grand Prix comes to a close. This would prevent the team from racing in Monza the following weekend.
Addressing the reports, a Haas spokesperson said: “Haas intends to pay all amounts due to Uralkali pursuant to the arbitration award, and there is no dispute over the amounts due,” it read.
“Haas has been working with its lawyers to ensure that the payment complies with all relevant US, EU, UK and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations. We will continue to work with Uralkali in the coming days to definitively resolve this matter.”
Should Haas fail to make it to the Italian Grand Prix, it could have a disastrous impact on the team’s Constructors’ Championship battle with VCARB.
The American outfit trail Red Bull’s sister team by seven points with 10 races remaining with an impressive P6 finish on the cards should Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen outshine their rivals after the summer break.
