Ayao Komatsu has wasted no time in strengthening Haas since becoming team principal. In less than a year, the Japanese engineer is creating foundations for a significantly more competitive and ambitious squad. The team’s partnership with Toyota will be key to this, unlocking new infrastructure and technical insights for Haas.
Toyota partnership will help Haas level-up in all areas
Since joining the grid in 2016, the resources and tools available at Haas have been very limited. Not only do they have hundreds fewer personnel than any other F1 team, but their infrastructure is lacking.
Until now, Haas’ partnership with Ferrari has been integral in compensating for their own deficiencies.
Thankfully for the American squad, their new partnership with Toyota (whilst not impacting their existing Ferrari ties) can generate new possibilities moving forward.
There are several benefits Haas will receive from this collaboration. Perhaps most notably, the Japanese company will play a central role in helping Haas to build their first F1 simulator.
Until now, Komatsu’s engineers and drivers have been reliant on using Ferrari’s simulator at Maranello.
In addition to this, Haas can tap into the engineering and technical talent at Toyota. This is a huge boost for a team that, until now, has been stretched thin with its relatively small workforce.
Haas want to establish themselves as a top 6 team
Ayao Komatsu makes no secret of how important this partnership is:
“To be honest, it’s a no-brainer,” he told the media.
“It’s just a perfect fit, and it wasn’t difficult to convince Gene [Haas, team owner] of it.
“Below the budget limit you have to be cost-efficient, and of course you have to be time-efficient to be competitive. With our current model, we are limited in this…
“Gene is very committed to his Formula 1 team. And he always asks me what we can do to be better, to be consistently in the top 5 or top 6 – and have a chance of a podium finish at some point.
“So no, it wasn’t difficult to convince Gene.”
Aside from the resources Haas will receive from Toyota, this partnership is also a statement of intent.
Whilst Haas have gathered plenty of support from being F1’s unofficial underdogs, a team that needs to punch above its weight to be competitive is bound to hit a ceiling.
By putting pen to paper with Toyota in this new deal, the American outfit is in a position where it can compete on a more level playing field.
