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The growth of Haas: Toyota as partner, Ferrari as foundation

21:59, 28 Dec

byLudo van Denderen

Toyota is taking on an increasingly important role within the Haas F1 team. Still, a full takeover by the Japanese company is absolutely not on the table according to team principal Ayao Komatsu.

When the new Haas Formula 1 car is unveiled to the world on 23 January, Toyota’s prominent presence on the car will likely stand out immediately. The Japanese manufacturer is gaining more influence within the American outfit, which Haas aims to benefit from.

Thanks to Toyota’s financing, a dedicated wind tunnel is currently being built in the United Kingdom, eliminating the need to use Ferrari’s facilities. The testing programme with previous F1 cars is also being ramped up after an initial successful season. Moreover, the team has grown from 230 to 380 employees over the past two seasons.

Komatsu says that would not have been possible without Toyota. Talking to selected media, including GPblog, the Japanese team boss said: "Toyota’s objective is not really branding. Toyota's objective is to make us competitive, grow people, and then make this team competitive together. So it (the intensified collaboration, ed.) will accelerate that."

Esteban Ocon - Photo: RacePictures

Toyota wants to be a partner, not an owner

According to Komatsu, Toyota does not intend to take over the team or build its own power unit. Toyota does, however, consider it important to train staff and drivers for the highest tier of motorsport.

“But the main thing is that performance comes first,” Komatsu continued, indicating that Toyota will not insist that drivers from its own academy must race in F1.

"If we put in that driver when he's not good enough, then people would say, ‘Oh, Toyota is just buying the seat with money.’ That's not what Toyota is doing, that's not what we're doing. We always pick drivers because of their performance."

On the technical side, Haas will remain dependent on Ferrari in 2026, purchasing many components from the Italians.

Komatsu added: "Like I said from day one, for our existence, the foundation is Ferrari. Without the Ferrari collaboration, we're not going to be here."

Oliver Bearman - Photo: RacePictures

No Haas without Ferrari

When Toyota and Haas entered into a partnership, it was important for Japanese chairman Akio Toyoda to continue along that path.

"One of the first questions Akio-san asked me was, 'Is Ferrari going to be OK with this?' So it's not like Toyota's trying to step into the areas where Ferrari's working with us.

"There're certain areas of this regulation that Ferrari can help us with. But certain areas in the regulation that Ferrari cannot help us, because they are our competitors. And those are the areas where we are working together with Toyota TGR. So there's no issue in that regard at all. And I've been completely transparent with Ferrari as well."

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