Haas Formula One Trucks Held Amid Russian Sponsor Payment Dispute

Haas Formula One team trucks cannot leave the Dutch Grand Prix circuit until Monday, pending confirmation of payment to a former Russian sponsor. This follows a court ruling enforcing a Swiss tribunal's decision, requiring Haas to settle a $9 million balance. Uralkali, a cancelled sponsor, awaits the payment.

The Haas Formula One team will be unable to move their trucks from the Dutch Grand Prix circuit until Monday, as they await confirmation that money owed to a former Russian sponsor has been paid, the team announced on Sunday. The trucks, which transport cars and equipment, will need clearance before heading to Monza, the Italian Grand Prix venue next weekend.

A team spokesman said the payment was initiated on Friday, and everything was set to be packed up as usual on Sunday. Last Thursday, Dutch bailiffs conducted an inventory following local court action to enforce a ruling by a Swiss arbitral tribunal made in June.

The U.S.-owned team's former sponsor Uralkali is owed the remaining balance of a sponsorship contract cancelled in March 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Media reports suggest the initial contract was valued at $13 million, with $9 million still due.

(With inputs from agencies.)