Haas F1 forced to hand over RACE CAR after Italian Grand Prix delay

Magnussen, Haas, testing, Bahrain, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Haas forced to hand over RACE CAR after Italian Grand Prix delay

Uralkali has issued a statement after seizing Haas F1 cars

Originally written by Jay Winter. This version is a translation.

Monday 26 August 2024 20:00

Haas' former title sponsor Uralkali has confirmed that they have received the full amount owed, as well as a race car, from the team after a court order kept the team at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Haas terminated its partnership with the company in 2022, however a Swiss arbitration court ruled that the team owed Uralkali a partial refund of their 2022 payment.

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In a statement released today, Uralkali announced that it had also taken possession of a Haas race car, which was part of the agreement outlined in the sponsorship contract.

Uralkali sponsored Haas for the 2021 season and for 2022 testing

Kevin Magnussen returned to the team when Uralkali and Nikita Mazepin were dropped

Uralkali confirms Haas payment

The company further noted that, having received the payment in full, it has informed Dutch authorities that Haas' assets, previously under arrest as an interim measure, can now be released.

This clearance allows Haas to remove its equipment from the Netherlands, easing concerns over the team's participation in upcoming races, including the Italian Grand Prix.

Haas sit 7th in the constructors' standings

"The money returned to Uralkali by the Swiss arbitration and transferred to us by Haas will be used to increase our capacity to ensure stable food supply," the statement read.

This conclusion comes after a tense period for Haas, which saw its assets, including cars and equipment, seized at the Dutch Grand Prix as Uralkali sought to enforce the arbitration ruling.

The dispute originated from Haas' decision to cut ties with Uralkali and Russian driver Nikita Mazepin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a move that Uralkali contested through legal channels.

The payment settlement now clears the path for Haas to focus on its F1 campaign, free from the looming threat of asset seizure.

Haas Las Vegas Grand Prix Kevin Magnussen Dutch Grand Prix Nikita Mazepin