Haas does not want to change anything in the partnership with Ferrari despite the Toyota deal, but sees Toyota only as an addition to the existing model
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasizes that the new partnership between his team and Toyota will not change the collaboration with Ferrari and is not intended to replace it. Instead, the deal, which was announced as a technical partnership, is intended to run alongside and further strengthen Haas.
“As everyone knows, we are the smallest team on the grid and we lack certain resources and hardware capabilities to understand certain things,” says the Japanese driver. That’s why they were looking for a partner who has these resources and hardware and also knows how to use them.
“And Toyota Gazoo gives us exactly that,” he clarifies. ”They have a great facility in Cologne that we can use, and we will be able to start some activities like simulators and TPC through this collaboration.”
Until now, however, Ferrari has always been Haas’s major partner, helping out the Americans since their Formula One debut in 2016. This should remain the case. “To be clear: our partnership with Toyota will not replace our partnership with Ferrari,” says Komatsu.
“The partnership between Ferrari and Haas is the foundation and will remain so, and the new partnership will not take anything away from that,” says the Japanese. ‘Instead, it will enhance the fundamental partnership with Ferrari.’
Continuing collaboration with Ferrari, but…
This means that Haas will continue to use the facilities in Maranello, including the wind tunnel, as has been the case so far. They also want to continue to purchase engines, transmissions and other parts from the Scuderia – the contract was only extended this year until 2028.
But: Komatsu says that Haas wants to start manufacturing, testing and simulating some parts itself – but whether that will be in Maranello or at its own plant in Banbury remains to be seen.
Starting off our Technical Partnership at the home of Toyota
Sharing our news as we look to contribute to the development of the automotive industry together HaasF1 F1 pic. twitter.com/KmyXdBOFjf
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) October 11, 2024
“What we get from Ferrari is fantastic,” Komatsu emphasizes. “That’s the basis of Haas, but the areas where Toyota can help us are outside of that.”
The new agreement was also discussed with Ferrari in advance and approved by them. “We have a clear understanding of what our commitment is in which area and how we need to protect the intellectual property of both companies,” said the team boss.
Another important partner of Haas is Dallara, who have been building the team’s chassis so far. Does the Toyota deal affect that? “We will discuss which parameters we will continue to work with Dallara on and which ones we will work with Toyota on,” says Komatsu. “But we will coexist. It’s not about replacing each other.”
Bald eigener Simulator in Banbury
What will be a big step forward for Haas in the future, however, is the use of a simulator, because they did not have their own in the in-house factory in Banbury. The only access to a simulator was in Maranello, but they could only use it sporadically – especially in winter.
“During the season, we are pretty limited in what we can do in the simulator,” Komatsu reveals. This is partly due to the limited personnel resources. ‘If we want to do a simulator session in Italy, I can’t ask my guys in the UK if they want to spend another ten weeks in Italy in the simulator on top of 24 races.’
A simulator of their own in Banbury would of course help. However, it will not be ready in time for the start of next year’s season, but is in the short-term planning. Until then, Haas will continue to use the Ferrari facilities, as has been the case so far.
Oliver Bearman, who will be a regular driver at Haas next year, has often been in the simulator in Maranello anyway, as he is also still a Ferrari junior. But he has also done aero development for Haas. “To maintain some consistency, Ollie will continue as before, but Ollie will also be in the simulator in Banbury,” said Komatsu.
“And of course Esteban [Ocon] will also be driving in the Banbury simulator as soon as it is up and running. And that gives us added value. So it doesn’t take anything away from what we do in Maranello, but we can now do it in Banbury,” says the team principal. ‘It adds value to what we are already doing and brings a new dimension.’
No problems expected with budget cap
One question that arises with the new entanglement with Toyota is also the question of the budget cap. Is it possible to sensibly separate the cooperation with the Japanese so that the FIA knows exactly which costs have to be attributed to the Formula One project?
“I don’t think it will be very complicated,” Komatsu says dismissively. ‘The mechanics are not much different than with Ferrari and Dallara.’
Instead of asking Ferrari and Dallara for parts, you just ask Toyota. ”If we ask Toyota to make a front wing, we pay for it, but it comes out of that sponsorship money. If we make a front wing at Dallara, then Mr. Haas has to pay, right?“
”The source of the money is different, but the mechanisms themselves are basically the same,” says Komatsu. ‘I don’t think it’s very complicated.’