Haas team still stuck at Zandvoort over payment dispute

Even though the Haas team has transferred its remaining debt to the former sponsor Uralkali, they were barred from leaving the Zandvoort circuit on Sunday night.

Sky Italia reported on Sunday that the team has indeed paid the approximately 10 million euros owed to the Russians, a debt that accumulated after Haas terminated its deals with Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin early in 2022.

"Everything is now settled," team owner Gene Haas, who is also reportedly being blocked from leaving the Netherlands, told Bild newspaper.

The payment was reportedly processed through a Middle Eastern account on Friday, but Uralkali has not yet received the funds. As a result, Haas' F1 cars and all team equipment remain officially in the possession of Uralkali's Dutch legal representatives and authorities.

"I was informed that our trucks would not be leaving on Sunday evening," a spokesperson for the small American team confirmed.

"We have to wait for the confirmation of receipt of the payment, which we made on Friday. Once acknowledged, they will be on their way to Italy on Monday."

A spokeswoman for Uralkali also told Algemeen Dagblad newspaper: "There is finally progress in this case, but the money has not yet arrived. That may be because the banks are closed on the weekend. As soon as the money is in our account, Haas is free to leave."

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