After the seizure of its equipment in Zandvoort, Haas undertakes to pay Uralkali “as quickly as possible”

Haas surely didn't expect such an eventful return to school... behind the scenes, anyway. Thursday, on the eve of the first Free Practice at Zandvoort for the Dutch GP, bailiffs and police appeared in the paddock in order to seize the property – including racing equipment in particular – of the American team. A seizure at the request of Uralkali, former title sponsor of Haas in 2020 and 2021, whose contract was terminated at the beginning of 2022 in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian company, owned by Dimitri mazepin (father of Nikita, Haas driver in 2021) is demanding another $9 million in reimbursement of the $13 million committed for the 2022 F1 season. A sum which has still not been paid by the American formation.

Refund to avoid the package at Monza

If this referral to the Dutch courts does not prevent Haas from using this equipment, and therefore from participating in the Dutch GP this weekend, all property is prohibited from leaving the territory... which would threaten Haas' participation at the next Grand Prix, in Italy next week. However, the team led by Ayao Komatsu wanted to reassure by committing to paying Uralkali as quickly as possible.

“An arbitration decision was made and we accepted it. We do not dispute it. Transferring funds is a complicated process. We are working on it and it is taking longer than I would like. But yes, we are fully committed to ensuring that this happens as quickly as possible”, said the Haas Team Principal.

Later in the day, the American team also published a press release to clarify the situation with Uralkali. “Haas intends to pay Uralkali all amounts owed under the arbitration award, and there is no dispute over the amounts owed. Haas has worked with its lawyers to ensure that the payment will comply with all US, EU, UK and Swiss sanctions laws and regulations. We will continue to work with Uralkali in the coming days to definitively resolve this issue. »

On the Uralkali side, we are delighted that the seizure of the Haas team's assets is making things happen. “We are delighted to learn that, following the visit of the Dutch authorities [Thursday] evening, Haas is finally taking into account the arbitration decision”, the company said from our colleagues at RacingNews365.

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