Uralkali is claiming reimbursement of the funds invested in Haas for 2022
In response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the Gene Haas team has removed Russian sponsor Uralkali from its single-seater. A few days after Nikita Mazepin's removal from the team, Uralkali has initiated legal proceedings to recover its investment.
The Russian sponsor of Haas, Uralkali, had remained silent until now. However, the company managed by Nikita Mazepin’s father is now expressing its desire to recover the funds invested for the 2022 season.
Uralkali intends to protect its interests in connection with the implementation of legal procedures and reserves the right to initiate any legal proceedings, claim damages, and request reimbursement of the significant amounts paid by Uralkali for the 2022 Formula 1 season, explains the company in a statement.
« Given that the majority of the sponsorship funds for 2022 have already been transferred to Haas, and knowing that the team terminated the contract before the first race of the season, Haas has therefore failed to fulfill its obligations towards Uralkali for this season. » The company is pursuing legal action. « Uralkali must request the immediate reimbursement of the funds received by Haas ».
The company led by Dmitry Mazepin also describes this decision as unreasonable, emphasizing that Formula 1 should be free from any external pressure and political sphere.
The Gene Haas team is therefore left with only one regular driver while waiting to find a replacement for Nikita Mazepin, all while having to reimburse their former sponsor.
As for Uralkali, another one of their contracts was terminated in Formula 2 and Formula 3 with Hitech Grand Prix.
