Haas F1 retaliates: Refutes PBS’s “poorly-sourced” charges of US sanction violation
"Haas F1 team clarifies position on allegations of sanctions breach in Russia
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Haas F1 logo on a building (Credits: Motorsport.com)
The American-based Formula One team Haas has categorically refuted charges of violating US sanctions by supplying machines and components to Russia. The charges were made by the American broadcaster PBS. They claimed the Haas Automation business had directly delivered equipment to Russia in breach of US export control and sanctions legislation. Haas, on the other hand, declared in a comprehensive statement rejecting the charges that it had always complied with US government legislation and had not sent any equipment to Russia since March 3, 2022.
Haas said that the 18 machines referenced in the PBS report were transferred to Russia prior to the imposition of sanctions. It also announced that it had severed ties with its Russian distributor, Abamet Management, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This was done freely, despite the fact that it was not officially necessary. Haas stated unequivocally that it had canceled 50 existing Abamet machine orders at the time, despite the fact that such orders may have been permitted under then-current US export control and sanctions legislation.
Haas also disputed that any equipment shipments were made up until October of last year. The business recognized that previously sold equipment may have changed ownership after its release, but said any such transfer would have been without its consent. Haas said unequivocally that all items were subject to Abamet’s assurance to Haas that it would not export any Haas products in contravention of relevant US export control and sanctions legislation, and that it was not aware of any instances where this had occurred.
“Simply put, if any shipments of Haas manufactured machines or components occurred after March 3, 2022, such shipments were made, unbeknownst to Haas, by Abamet or one of Haas’ numerous other customers around the world. Any such shipments would have been made in direct contravention of express Haas policy with regard to Russia following its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine,” the statement said.
Haas F1 Team always on the good side: Severed ties with Uralkali sponsorship over Ukrainian invasion
Haas Automation is the primary sponsor of the Haas Formula 1 team, and any negative implications of the sanctions violation might impact the team’s finances and future. While the team is independent of Haas Automation, any damage to the company’s reputation may affect the team’s image and revenue. The Haas team, on the other hand, stressed in a statement that it was “autonomous” from Haas Automation and that its sponsorship deal remained unaltered. According to the team, “Haas F1 Team is an independent entity that does not have any direct business relations with Abamet Management, nor is it involved in any way with the supply chain of Haas Automation products.”
Haas went on to say that in the aftermath of the Ukrainian incursion, it broke relations with all Russian corporations, including its F1 team’s Uralkali sponsorship arrangement, which cost it millions of dollars in income. The PBS story, according to Haas, was a “poorly-sourced hit piece” that overlooked key facts and alleged others that were “clearly false.” The company also stated that it was “irresponsible in the extreme” for PBS to present the report, particularly “at a time when Americans are struggling to develop the most effective course of conduct in support of Ukraine.”
Haas vehemently denied violating Russian sanctions and insisted that it had always complied with US federal legislation. The corporation highlighted that it broke links with all Russian enterprises during the invasion of Ukraine and that the Haas F1 team is an autonomous organization with no direct economic relations with Abamet Management.
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