According to Ayao Komatsu, Haas can draw significant confidence from its recent growth, further strengthened by Toyota’s involvement. But what has really changed in the relationship with Ferrari following the Japanese manufacturer’s entry into the picture?
The Haas team principal, Ayao Komatsu, revealed that the increased involvement of Toyota with the American team has not altered the foundations on which the squad is built, namely its long-standing collaboration with Ferrari. From this year, Toyota, through its Gazoo Racing division, has also become Haas’s title sponsor, starting from New Year’s Day.
Speaking about Toyota’s role, Ayao Komatsu confirmed that the Japanese brand would like to have a say in future driver selections, while stressing that on-track performance will remain the decisive criterion when it comes to awarding a race seat. At present, Esteban Ocon is partnered by Oliver Bearman, a driver who is part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
The Haas team principal also revealed that Toyota president Akio Toyoda asked about Ferrari’s reaction to the expansion of the partnership with the Japanese manufacturer. However, Komatsu confirmed that nothing has changed in the relationship between the two parties. He explained that while Ferrari supports Haas in certain areas as a customer team, Toyota will help cover other areas in which Ferrari must operate independently.
Has the relationship between Haas and Ferrari changed? “Without Ferrari, we wouldn’t be here”
When asked how the increasingly close collaboration with Toyota could influence the relationship with Ferrari, Ayao Komatsu replied: “In reality, nothing changes. As I’ve said since day one, our existence, our foundations, are Ferrari. Without Ferrari, we wouldn’t be here.”
“Then we are increasing the work with Toyota, having only started last year, and one of the first questions Akio asked me was: ‘Will Ferrari be okay with this?’ So it’s not that Toyota is trying to step into areas where Ferrari already works with us.”
“There are some areas, obviously defined by the regulations, where Ferrari can help us, and others where it cannot because it is our competitor. And it is precisely in those areas that we work together with Toyota and with TGR, so there is no problem from that point of view.”
“I have been completely transparent with Ferrari as well and, once again, the fact that Akio-san, for someone who is the president of Toyota Motor Corporation, says to me as the very first thing, ‘I don’t want to create any problem with Ferrari,’ shows that he is a great person.”
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