Haas claims to have paid Uralkali and set off for Monza

Is this (finally) the outcome of the story between Haas and Uralkali? In addition to having fought against its competitors on the track at Zandvoort, the Gene Haas team had to face at the same time a particular legal situation, with a seizure of its equipment, at the request of the company Uralkali before the Dutch courts. Technically, Haas was able to use all its tools in the Dutch paddock and on the circuit, but it was simply impossible to leave Dutch territory this Sunday evening.

The Russian company, owned by Dimitri mazepin (father of Nikita, Haas driver in 2021), former title sponsor of Haas in 2020 and 2021, and whose contract was terminated in early 2022 in connection with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, demanded $9 million in reimbursement of the $13 million committed for the 2022 F1 season. A sum which had still not been paid by the American team this weekend.

Haas fixes the problem

This Monday morning, Haas F1 Team was finally authorized to leave Dutch territory with all its equipment, after payment had been made. “Uralkali has confirmed receipt of payment”, we learned from a senior communications member of the team. “An arbitration decision was made and we accepted it, had slipped on his side Ayao Komatsu, the main team, on Sunday. 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 making sure that this happens as quickly as possible.”

Weaned from points at Zandvoort after 11th place in Nico Hulkenberg – doubled in the last laps by Fernando Alonso – Haas will participate in the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, although its presence had been uncertain for a moment due to the ongoing affair. With 27 units on the clock, the American team is currently 7th in the championship, seven points behind Racing Bulls' 6th place.

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