Haas F1’s Toyota Partnership: Strengthening Technical Synergy

Haas F1’s strategic alignment with Toyota sparks interest, as the team aims to enhance its competitive edge in Formula 1.

In the Midfield, Haas F1 Emerges as the Team in Form: Points Scored in Five Consecutive Grands Prix

In the competitive midfield, Haas F1 has been the standout performer of late, securing points in each of the last five Grands Prix. The team has reclaimed sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship from RB F1.

As the Mexican Grand Prix approaches, Haas F1 is targeting a sixth consecutive points finish, especially given the positive impact of recent upgrades introduced at Austin.

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu remains measured in his outlook, though a broad smile suggests satisfaction with their progress.

“The atmosphere is excellent; scoring points is always a challenge, and everything has to come together. Achieving that five times in a row is fantastic. So yes, the mood is very positive.”

Nico Hülkenberg has expressed his surprise at the turnaround: this year, all of Haas F1’s upgrades have delivered as intended—quite the contrast to last season.

“This year, while not every upgrade has been flawless, none have set the car back,” clarifies Ayao Komatsu.

“Each time we bring in updates, the car gains performance. The key differences have been in the finer details—communication, teamwork, and mutual understanding. We’ve allowed more freedom, focused on simple yet crucial foundations, and I’m truly pleased to see the results.”

Having an engineer at the helm of a Formula 1 team certainly pays off.

However, the battle for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship remains tight, with just two points separating Haas F1 from RB F1.

When asked who currently has the faster car, Ayao Komatsu is cautious.

“It really varies from race to race. They’ve also introduced upgrades in Mexico and seemed quick. We aren’t completely satisfied with our car. Everything can shift depending on the event and track temperatures. It’s hard to say who will have the upper hand over the remaining five races. We just need to maximise what we have at each event.”

Toyota: The Overlooked Technical Partner for Haas F1?

Ayao Komatsu has also overseen structural growth at Haas F1 through a technical partnership with Toyota.

However, Haas already has technical collaborations with both Dallara and Ferrari. How does Komatsu see these relationships fitting together?

“Ferrari and Dallara have been fantastic partners from the start. Ferrari supplies us with the engine, gearbox, suspension, hydraulics, and so on—areas where Toyota does not get involved. Toyota supports us in fields where Ferrari does not and that we manage internally. This enhances our capabilities and deepens our understanding of the car, making the team more competitive.”

What is the duration of this partnership with Toyota? Hypothetically, if Gene Haas were to decide to sell the team one day, would Toyota have the right of first refusal?

“Firstly, Gene is not selling the team. Every time, he asks me what we can do to go faster. He is not interested in selling. He has turned down several offers. The team is therefore not for sale, and we have never discussed any right of first refusal. It’s a long-term, very long-term partnership.”