Haas issue response to future F1 speculation after major Toyota announcement

Haas team principal has denied the final goal of the Toyota partnership is for the Japanese manufacturer to establish itself as a works team in F1

Toyota joined forces with Haas in late 2024 as part of a multi-year technical partnership.

That collaboration will expand next year as Toyota GAZOO Racing becomes a title sponsor of the American squad.

It has led to speculation that Toyota's increased involvement could lead to an even bigger role for the company in the future, such as a complete takeover of the Haas team.

But Komatsu asserted that it is not the ultimate desire for Toyota going forward.

“I think it’s easy for many people to say that, because I think people want to say things like, 'Toyota works team, Toyota is going to make engines',” Komatsu told media including RacingNews365.

“But between Akio [Toyoda] and myself, it’s totally clear, the purpose of this collaboration is really trying to grow people, and through doing that, we make a competitive organisation.”

Komatsu asserted that the deal to train up people in a competitive setting will be to the benefit of both Haas and Toyota as he signalled F1's unique conditions to do so. 

“If you look at F1 as an environment, if somebody wants to train people, or throw people into a very competitive environment, or an international environment, there’s nothing better than F1,” he said. 

“I think the amazing thing about this is, it’s very international, incredibly competitive.

“Let’s say in the corporate world, certain things take, let’s say for argument’s sake, three months to develop - in F1, we solve it in two weeks.

“In terms of training people, I don’t think you’ll find anything better.

“That’s where I think our synergy comes from, we are looking for people, Akio-san was looking for the environment, where he can train and grow his own people. 

“I think in the long run, for Toyota Motor Corporation, it’s not just for the racing, the people they grow, train in this environment, will one day hopefully be a senior manager, or top management in the TMC, in the international mindset, competitive mindset. 

“It’s just a lot more than just about, 'are they going to make a PU? Are they going to be the Toyota F1 works team?'

“That’s really, really not the target, but I know I get asked this question every time, but that’s not the case.”