Haas deny end of Rich Energy sponsorship deal

Michelle Foster
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Rich Energy is “currently the title partner of Haas” insists Guenther Steiner despite the energy drink company saying they had parted ways with the F1 team.

Rich Energy, Haas’ title sponsor since the beginning of this year, announced earlier this week that they had split with Haas.

The British energy drink company made the announcement on Twitter.

“Today Rich Energy terminated our contract with Haas F1 Team for poor performance,” said the energy drink company.

“We aim to beat Red Bull Racing and being behind Williams Racing in Austria is unacceptable.

“The politics and PC attitude in F1 is also inhibiting our business.

“We wish the team well.”

And in the age of social media, Haas have responded in kind.

“Rich Energy is currently the title partner of Haas F1 Team,” read a brief statement from Steiner.

“I cannot comment further on the contractual relationship between our two parties due to commercial confidentiality.”

At present there is no sign of Haas changing their livery ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Autosport is reporting that Rich Energy’s shareholders are trying to salvage the deal with Haas, fearing the tweet – “either written or authorised by CEO William Storey” – has damaged the company’s reputation.

A source told Autosport: “The deal is not terminated and William has no authority to do so.

“The investors are trying to clear up the PR mess, but it’s business as usual.”

Haas have grappled for form this season, bagging just 16 points as they have struggled to adapt to the new-for-2019 Pirelli tyres.

The team has not scored in three races and, last time out in Austria, Kevin Magnussen was even beaten by the Williams of George Russell.

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