Haas Automotive has released a statement in regard to a story reported by PBS about links to Russia. In doing so, they denied all allegations.
On Wednesday, a report published by PBS said that Haas Automotive, the Formula 1 team's parent company, had allegedly done business with the Russian military. Haas, with their technical expertise, was reportedly asked to supply parts that would allow the Russian military to improve the streamline of their weapons factories.
Haas no longer supplies anything to Russia
In a statement, however, Haas Automotive gives short shrift to the report. The press release identifies the following points as crucial:
- Haas is, and has always been, in full compliance with U.S. Government export control.
- No machines have shipped from the Haas factory to Russia since March 3, 2022.
- The 18 machines referenced in the story left the Haas factory prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- Haas voluntarily chose to terminate its relationship with the Russian distributor, which was not a requirement as a result of any U.S. sanctions.
- Haas completely supports Ukraine and its people in their defence against Russia.
Haas says that until the Russian invasion, it had a partnership with a party in Russia and Belarus, Abamet Management. However, ties with that party were severed immediately from the invasion, and no parts of Haas have gone that way since then.
Haas Automotive, therefore, regrets that the news has come out. The brand says they have done everything in its power to cut ties with Russia, just as the driver, Nikita Mazepin, and the sponsor were expelled from the F1 team. The fact that they have now been accused of supporting Russia is therefore unjustified, according to the US company.