Former Haas title sponsor Uralkali has claimed the Formula 1 team has missed a deadline relating to a refund and a car it is owed over a cancelled sponsorship deal.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to Haas ousting Nikita Mazepin from its 2022 driver line-up and ending the side’s title partnership with Uralkali with immediate effect.
Uralkali wanted to salvage a return on the $13 million sponsorship fee that Haas received to cover the entire 2022 season but wouldn’t even reach the opening round.
The long-standing situation escalated to a legal dispute and last month a Swiss arbitration court ruled that Haas possessed the right to terminate the title agreement.
While the outcome ordered Haas to retain a “portion of the sponsorship fee”, the American squad was directed to return the outstanding balance past March 4, 2022.
Meanwhile, the documents also enforced the guarantee that Haas would deliver a race car that the outfit used with Uralkali branding in 2021 to the fertilizer producer.
However, in a new twist to the ever-developing saga, Uralkali has asserted that Haas has not made steps to complete that request by the deadline the court proposed.
“Regretfully, neither the money (plus interest plus costs) has been paid, nor the race car delivered by the required deadline,” Uralkali’s statement began.
“A letter sent by Uralkali to Haas in early July providing options for the delivery of the race car to take place went unanswered. Further interest on the awarded sum continues to accrue.”
A representative added: “Haas’ failure to execute the required transfers is a flagrant violation of the tribunal’s award as determined by an arbitration process signed on to by both sides.
“This gives new meaning to the expression ‘unsportsmanlike conduct.’ Uralkali will use all means provided for under the law to see that the ruling is implemented.
“Let all current and potential Haas sponsors be aware of the kind of treatment that may await them.”
