Uralkali is demanding Haas pay back the 2022 sponsorship money it has already paid following their “unreasonable” split.
Last weekend, the American team announced it had terminated contracts with the Russian company and driver Nikita Mazepin, replacing the latter with Kevin Magnussen on Wednesday.
Earlier the same day, Uralkali issued its first comments on the situation stating the decision was “unreasonable” because “we believe that sports should always be free of politics and pressure from external factors.
Also Read:
- Haas: Uralkali split the only option after ‘overwhelming’ Ukraine criticism
- ‘Disappointed’ Mazepin feels ‘ignored’ after Haas exit confirmed
- Magnussen ‘surprised but excited’ to get Haas opportunity in 2022
“Given the above, Uralkali intends to protect its interests in line with applicable legal procedures and reserves its rights to initiate judicial proceedings, claim damages and seek repayment of the significant amounts Uralkali had paid for the 2022 Formula One season,” the statement continued.
“As most of the sponsorship funding for the 2022 season has already been transferred to Haas and given that the Team terminated the sponsorship agreement before the first race of the 2022 season, Haas has thus failed to perform its obligations to Uralkali for this year’s season.
“Uralkali shall request the immediate reimbursement of the amounts received by Haas.”
The company intends to use that money to fund Nikita Mazepin’s new curiously named ‘We Compete As One’ foundation that aims to support athletes unable to compete in sports for political reasons.
He announced this at the same time he criticised Haas for their handling of his departure.
“I deserved more support from the team,” said Mazepin, who claimed he only found out he had been dropped when the press release was issued.
“There is no legal reason to terminate the contract. I was relieved to see that the FIA allowed us to start in neutral colours, I was hoping to drive.
“[But] everything changed and I lost the dream I had been working for 18 years.”