Haas F1 Team Fans In Outrage After Damaging Rumours Plague Social Media
A report from PBS was released accusing Haas Automation, partner of the MoneyGram Haas F1 team, of providing machinery and parts to Russia. The team have today released a statement branding the report as "simply untrue".
However, fans have been reacting to the news claiming that it is hard to know what to believe as they consider PBS as a reputable source. One fan wrote:
"Not saying the story couldn’t be wrong but, for any non-Americans who are unaware of PBS, the fact that they are the ones reporting the story makes it 100x more believable. Easily the most reputable outlet that could break this kind of story in the US."
Another Twitter user commented:
Oof, it’s seems like you guys spend more money to maintain a good public image than to have a good car"
Simon Ostrovsky, who reported the news for PBS, has posted to Twitter, writing:
"In our exclusive report for PBS @Newshour we reveal that California-based manufacturing giant @Haas_Automation is suspected of flouting US sanctions and supplying Russia’s arms industry with sophisticated machining tools.
"Haas told us they stopped all business in Russia a week after the invasion last year. Even if that’s true, Haas could still be in trouble because the sanctions have been in place since 2014. But records show they actually made shipments for months & months after Russia’s attack."
Another fan responded to Ostrovsky, writing:
"Such a disgrace. Terrible disappointment for all the @HaasF1Team fans"
Someone else wrote:
"You can remove the Russian out of Haas but not Haas out of Russia apparently"
Another user called for further investigation, writing:
"This is appalling. Haas is aiding and abetting Russia’s invasion and its war crimes. @USTreasury, investigate!"