Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February, Haas F1 decided to end the partnership with its title sponsor Uralkali, the company run by Dmitry Mazepin, father of Nikita and Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin.
Uralkali demanded 12 million euros paid in advance to the American team, which retaliated by claiming 8.6 million euros from its now former sponsor for lack of profit.
Asked regarding this very complex situation in the Imola paddock, Günther Steiner, the manager of Haas F1, declared “Don’t want to comment. This is a legal proceeding and I respect confidentiality.”
“I don’t want to come out publicly and say, ‘We said that and they said that.’ If you want to form your own opinion, you are free to read what has already been said.”
“I do not wish to speak publicly regarding the ongoing situation with our former sponsor.”
Due to the financial sanctions that have been addressed to Russia, it is anyway unlikely that either of the two entities will end up paying anything to the other even if a court orders it.
“The situation is not easy with all these sanctions,” continues Steiner. “I don’t know the specifics. I leave that in the hands of a good lawyer because it’s a full-time job.”
“At the moment, I have to wait for the next steps in the legal process.”
Does Steiner think this story will end up in court? “I’ve no idea.”
