The Sepang International Circuit, which hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix up until last year before the event was axed, has settled a dispute with the Haas Formula 1 team, resulting in compensation being paid to the American outfit.
Romain Grosjean crashed during first free practice for the 2017 event, heavily damaging his car as he spun into the barriers. Replays show the cause of the crash was down to a loose drain cover, which flew open when Kimi Raikkonen ran over it.
Grosjean, on a quick lap behind the Finn, failed to spot it and ran over the drain, causing his right-rear tyre to rapidly deflate, pitching him into a spin.
Haas took the issue up with the circuit and almost a year later, team principal Guenther Steiner confirmed that Sepang's insurance had settled the dispute.
"We settled, the insurance were very good to deal with and we are happy. The insurance was very professional, they stood up for their responsibility," he is quoted as saying by RaceFans.
"It’s [been] a year now roughly, it’s a long time this case. I think it’s the first [time] something like this happened.
"It got sorted, they were good to deal with. There was so many parties involved as well. These things take always time. An insurance claim is never quick."
At the time, Steiner described the circuit as "not up to the standard". Romain Grosjean went on to finish 14th in the race.
