Ferrari and Toyota will contribute to Haas in a different way, claims Ayao Komatsu
Reflecting on how Ferrari and Toyota will work together as a key partner for Haas, the American team's leader Ayao Komatsu insisted that the two car manufacturers will contribute to his team independently.
Haas has recently confirmed that it will enter into a collaborative relationship with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the motorsport competition and research and development division of Japanese automotive manufacturer.
Under the new multi-year agreement both parties will share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources – with Toyota providing design, technical and manufacturing services, while Haas will offer technical expertise and commercial benefits in return.
Toyota will provide design, technical and manufacturing services to Haas, while Haas will offer technical expertise and commercial benefits in return, with the American team noting that "with an objective to advance MoneyGram Haas F1 Team’s development and competitive element within Formula 1, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will further develop its own knowledge and skills in a variety of areas through its involvement with the team competing at the leading edge of global motorsport."
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has now revealed that the American outfit's engine manufacturer Ferrari had set specific conditions that had to be met before agreeing to the new Haas-Toyota partnership.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has delivered another explanation for the exact role of Toyota, claiming that Haas will retain its partnership with Ferrari, and Toyota will only contribute to areas that are not part of the Kannapolis-based outfit's deal with the Scuderia.
"Obviously, Ferrari and Dallara has been amazing partners since day one. And then as you can see, you know, Ferrari, obviously, the PU partner, gearbox, suspension, hydraulics, et cetera.
"Those areas, obviously, Toyota's not touching. You know, the area that Toyota's touching is the area that we don't get support from Ferrari, and that we've been doing it on our own.
"So, yeah, that really just adds to our capability and then a chance to understand the car better so that we can make our team more competitive."
After the announcement of the collaboration between Toyota and Haas, it has emerged that the Japanese manufacturer might be intent on buying the American team in a bid to return to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Pushed on to reveal whether Haas owner Gene Haas might sell his team that entered F1 in 2016, Komatsu has acknowledged that the American has received several offers in the past, but he does not plan to pass his team over to anyone.
"To start with, Gene's not selling the team. Every single time he's asking me, how can we go better? What can we do to make the car go faster? He's not interested in selling. I believe he had so many offers, actually, but he refused every single one of them.
"So the team's not up for sale. And then we haven't even spoken about a first refusal or anything like that. That's not being on the topic. It is a long term, very long term."
