Haas F1 To Drop Title Sponsor's Stag Logo For Canadian GP

Haas F1 title sponsor Rich Energy requested that the team remove its stag logos from its F1 branding and car due to Rich's ongoing legal dispute with Whyte Bikes. Last month, Rich Energy "lost a court battle" over its stag logo, with Whyte Bikes claiming a "copyright infringement." Rich tweeted, "We don’t want any media circus for [the] team whilst we contest [the] baseless case with Whyte Bikes and win [the case]." Whyte Bikes had been granted an injunction and damages, as well as a "declaration of invalidity," while Rich Energy has "appealed the issue with a new hearing set to take place on June 27" (CRASH, 6/7).

Speaking after the ruling in May, Haas Team Principal Gunther Steiner "made clear" his team was "not directly involved in the legal action" but would follow any requests from Rich Energy relating to it. The Rich Energy logos appeared on the Haas cars on Thursday in Montreal, but were "removed overnight" ahead of the opening free practice session on Friday (MOTORSPORT, 6/7).