Ferrari’s Demands Amid Haas F1 and Toyota Alliance

Haas F1 confirms a technical partnership with Toyota, ensuring Ferrari’s interests are protected while maintaining their crucial collaboration.

Haas F1 announced a technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing last night. However, this will not affect the relationship between the American team and Ferrari, its long-standing partner and engine supplier. Haas Director Ayao Komatsu explained that he negotiated with Ferrari to approve the agreement with Toyota.

“We’ve been working with Ferrari since day one, so we understand each other very well. Additionally, I spoke with Fred [Vasseur, team principal] right from the start of this collaboration,” Komatsu said.

“The Ferrari-Haas relationship is the foundation, so I approached it with the understanding that Ferrari needed to fully grasp this relationship. If they felt that the Toyota-Haas alliance posed a threat to them, it wouldn’t work. So I made sure that wasn’t the case.”

“And through Kaji-San, Toyota was fully on board and clear from day one. Honestly, the key is to be transparent and clear in terms of commitment and scope from the start, so that all parties are informed.”

“And then, of course, Ferrari gave me certain demands, for which I had to guarantee them this and that. It was what we were going to do anyway, so it was quite straightforward and very collaborative from all sides.”

Komatsu confirmed that this agreement is “not here to replace Ferrari.” He elaborated on the differences between the two partnerships: “The Ferrari-Haas partnership is the foundation and will always remain so. This partnership is not intended to weaken it but to strengthen this fundamental relationship with Ferrari.”

“What we have with Ferrari, what we receive from Ferrari, is extraordinary. It is the foundation of the Haas F1 team. But the areas where TGR can help us are outside of that. Again, we’ve been completely transparent with Ferrari’s management from the early stages of these discussions.”

“We both have a clear understanding of the commitment we have, and in which areas, with TGR, as well as how we need to protect each company’s intellectual property rights. That is how we plan to proceed.”

Not a title sponsor for now

Toyota is not intended to become a title sponsor of Haas, although Toyota Gazoo Racing logos will be visible on the VF-24 starting in Austin: “For now, no. Our main sponsor is MoneyGram, so nothing will change regarding that sponsor or the team name in the foreseeable future.”

“Of course, we have a certain date in a certain year to reopen this type of discussion with the sponsor, so we will cross that bridge when we come to it. But for the foreseeable future, there is no change in the title partnership.”

“I want to clarify that Toyota and TGR’s interest is not in sponsorship. The main focus is on developing personnel, which is great, and it also aligns with my philosophy within the Haas F1 team.”

“This is a high-tech sport, but ultimately, it is the human element that drives it. That’s what makes the difference between disaster and the success of a team. So, we really think the same way.”

“They are investing in this area to provide opportunities for their personnel, whether they are mechanical engineers or drivers, to create an environment conducive to their training and development, which will benefit the company as a whole.”

However, the Japanese executive assures that the possibility of a deal with Toyota was not a factor in bringing Esteban Ocon onboard: “Not specifically. I told him we had a development plan to move the team forward and to make a reasonable change, if you will.”

“But when I was trying to finalize Esteban’s contract, it was too early to guarantee anything. I never wanted to promise Esteban something I couldn’t deliver, and he signed based on that agreement. I can’t turn around three months later and say, ‘Sorry, mate, I couldn’t make it happen.'”

“He signed knowing there was a vision to push the team forward, and rather than being specific about this technical partnership, I explained how we intended to develop the team, and he fully agreed with that vision.”