Formula 1: Rich Energy blame ‘rogue’ individual for Haas tweet

Rich Energy have blamed a “rogue” individual for the tweet that stated they had cut ties with Haas after the first nine races of the 2019 Formula 1 season.

Rich Energy appeared to abruptly terminate the sponsorship contract they signed with the Haas Formula 1 team ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season on Wednesday when they tweeted that the two organizations no longer had a relationship with one another.

The British beverage company blamed this decision on “poor performance” by the sport’s lone American team, poor performance that has landed them in ninth place out of 10 teams in the constructor standings through the 21-race season’s first nine races, and the “PC attitude” and “politics” of Formula 1 that are apparently “inhibiting” their business.

Here is what they tweeted about the matter.

However, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner released a statement on Thursday, revealing that Rich Energy are still the team’s title sponsor. Here is what this statement said.

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Reports then emerged that the two sides had not actually separated from one another but that Rich Energy’s investors were scrambling to salvage the relationship between them and Haas after they sent such an unprofessional tweet that was destined to cause PR headaches within both companies.

Now, in a statement that has been attributed to “the shareholders who own the majority of Rich Energy”, they have described this tweet as “rogue actions of one individual”, and they have stated that they are in the process of “legally removing the individual from all executive responsibilities”.

Here is what the shareholders’ statement said, according to Motorsport.

"“We wholeheartedly believe in the Haas F1 Team, its performance, and the organisation as a whole and we are fully committed to the current sponsorship agreement in place. We also completely believe in the product of Formula 1 and the platform it offers our brand.“Clearly the rogue actions of one individual have caused great embarrassment. We are in the process of legally removing the individual from all executive responsibilities. They may speak for themselves but their views are not those of the company. We wish to confirm our commitment to the Haas F1 Team, Formula 1 and to thank the Haas F1 Team for their support and patience whilst this matter is dealt with internally.”"

Haas are set to enter this weekend’s Formula 1 race, the British Grand Prix, at Silverstone Circuit still running Rich Energy branding, although the future of the relationship between the two organizations beyond this weekend is far less clear.

This race, which is Rich Energy’s home race and is considered one of Haas’ home races as well since their home base is in Banbury, England, is scheduled to begin at 9:10 a.m. ET on Sunday, July 14, and it is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2.