• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Law

Haas F1 Cars Briefly Stuck in Netherlands Amid Russian Payment Dispute

  • A Russian company had Formula One cars held in the Netherlands.
  • The team reportedly owed $9 million and an F1 car to its former sponsor.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

American-owned Haas F1 cars were trapped in the Netherlands after their former sponsor, the Russian fertilizer company Uralkali, asked Dutch authorities to step in and pressure the team to make good on payments it owed following a terminated deal.

Haas ended its $13 million sponsorship deal with Uralkali in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A Swiss arbitration court hearing in June said Haas was allowed to do so, but needed to pay Uralkali back all of the money that went past the date it spiked the agreement. That amount totaled $9 million and one F1 car, according to Motorsport.com.

Uralkali said Haas had missed a July deadline for the payment and had Dutch authorities visit Haas in the pit Thursday at the Dutch Grand Prix. As authorities threatened to seize the team’s assets, owner Gene Haas made the payment Friday night. To avoid sanctions on Russia, Haas transferred the money through an account in the Middle East, but it didn’t make its way to Uralkali due to weekend closures. The team was unable to leave the Netherlands for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix until the payments cleared.

Uralkali said Monday that it had received the payments, which freed Haas up to leave for Italy.

“​​Uralkali confirms that we have received in full the payment owed by Haas (including interest and fees) following the ruling of the Swiss court of arbitration. We have also collected the race car owed to us under the terms of the sponsorship agreement,” the company said in a press release Monday. “As such, Uralkali has notified Dutch authorities that they may release Haas’ assets from arrest as an interim measure, and Haas is free to take them out of the Netherlands.”

A representative for Uralkali said it could not confirm the exact amount the team owed “​​due to confidentiality requirements established by the court.” Haas did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Gene Haas’s NASCAR team with four cars, Stewart-Haas Racing, is shutting down when the 2024 season ends. But the owner will keep part of the business alive as the Haas Factory Team, with one car in NASCAR and two in the Xfinity Series.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Donald Trump

Trump Bill Has $1.6 Billion for Olympics, World Cup Security

Host cities have lobbied for federal funding to help with security costs.
Bill Ackman
exclusive

Billionaire Bill Ackman Prepares for ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Tennis Match in..

Ackman says he’s “peaking next week” at the Hall of Fame Open.

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.
Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.

California AG Says Daily Fantasy Sports Are Illegal

The AG rejected arguments that DFS are games of skill, not chance.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Wimbledon
June 25, 2025

Players Suing Tennis Begin Negotiations With Grand Slams

They may add the Slams as defendants if talks fail in 90 days.
Wander Franco
June 26, 2025

Wander Franco Convicted of Child Sex Abuse, Receives 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Franco can avoid jail time but is unlikely to return to MLB.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Dec 24, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up before the game between the Browns and the New Orleans Saints at FirstEnergy Stadium
June 24, 2025

Unearthed NFL Arbitration Ruling Raises More Questions Than Answers

The NFL was cleared of collusion, but new questions have emerged.
Apr 24, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome.
June 24, 2025

James Harden Sued for Negligence in Sexual Assault Case

Harden hosted the party where the alleged incident happened.
Jun 23, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park.
June 24, 2025

Tatis Sues Big League Advance for ‘Predatory’ Future Earnings Deal

Tatis would owe $34 million from his current deal alone.
Jul 7, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson (28) react after striking out during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Yankee Stadium.
June 23, 2025

Former Yankee Josh Donaldson Wins $222K in Lawsuit Against Landlord

Donaldson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Yankees.