Haas's Partnership with Toyota Aims to Strengthen Ferrari Ties, Says Team Boss Ayao Komatsu
Haas Formula One team principal Ayao Komatsu announced on Friday that the team's new technical partnership with Toyota is designed to bolster—rather than replace—its enduring collaboration with Ferrari.
Haas Formula One team principal Ayao Komatsu announced on Friday that the team's new technical partnership with Toyota is designed to bolster—rather than replace—its enduring collaboration with Ferrari.
Haas, which currently utilizes Ferrari engines and gearboxes, also benefits from the Italian team's wind tunnel and simulator in Maranello, where it maintains a design office. Additionally, Ferrari's British reserve driver Oliver Bearman, a graduate of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is set to race for Haas next season.
"Our partnership with Toyota is not to replace the Ferrari partnership," Komatsu emphasized during a press conference following the Toyota announcement at Fuji Speedway. "The Ferrari-Haas partnership is the foundation, and it's always going to be the foundation. This [Toyota] partnership is not to take away from it, but to enhance that fundamental partnership with Ferrari. What we have with Ferrari, what we get from Ferrari, is amazing."
Komatsu, who took over as team principal from Guenther Steiner in January, assured that Haas has been fully transparent with Ferrari management from the onset of discussions with Toyota. Measures have been taken to protect intellectual property, and Ferrari has been assured that its contributions will continue to be integral to Haas's operations.
As part of the new arrangement, Toyota will provide Haas with simulator access. Additionally, young Japanese drivers will gain track time through a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program. While a Toyota-backed driver could potentially secure a reserve role, Komatsu made it clear that talent, not funding, would guide such decisions.
"Ferrari sent certain requirements where I had to guarantee them we continue with this and this and this. That's what we were going to do anyway, so it was pretty straightforward really and very collaborative from all sides," Komatsu said.
Haas will maintain its use of Ferrari’s wind tunnel for the duration of the powertrain deal, which runs until the end of 2028. The existing relationship with Italy-based chassis designer Dallara will also continue.
Komatsu elaborated on the operational benefits of the Toyota partnership: "We will keep the Maranello design office... our aerodynamicists will continue to be based there. Toyota will provide Haas with more resources and hardware. We will start designing some other carbon composite parts by ourselves, and then also start doing some testing and simulator work."
He added, "They [Toyota] are looking for the latest F1 know-how and skill-set which we have, but we don't have their facilities, we don't have the number of people and resource. So that's how we are tapping into each other's expertise."
"So it's really a perfect combination to have a mutual benefit," Komatsu concluded.
This strategic tie-up underscores Haas's commitment to enhancing its competitive edge while maintaining its foundational partnerships within the F1 ecosystem.
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