Uralkali files legal action against Haas and wants money back

Haas has broken the contract with Uralkali and Nikita Mazepin, but the sponsor and the driver will not leave it at that. They want money back from Haas and want to put it in a new fund: 'We Compete As One'.

Due to the war in Ukraine, Haas has decided to cut ties with sponsor Uralkali. The stickers of the title sponsor were removed from the car before the third test day in Barcelona and later it was also announced that Nikita Mazepin as a driver was pushed aside. Uralkali, however, will not leave it at that.

In a press release on the Uralkali website, the company speaks of a "unilateral termination" that was initiated by the war that Russia is waging. Uralkali speaks of an unreasonable decision, as it believes that sport and politics should be separated. Uralkali is therefore starting legal proceedings to repair the damage that has been incurred. The sponsor claims that a lot of money had already been paid for the 2022 Formula 1 season, while there is now no visibility in F1.

Uralkali therefore assumes that this money will be refunded by Haas, because they have not delivered the quid pro quo of that amount of money. Uralkali states that the amount will be used to set up a new fund called 'We Compete As One'. With that fund, the brand wants to support (mainly Russian and Belarusian) athletes who are no longer allowed to compete for their own country.