Amid tensions at Haas, speculation about Toyota grows.
"We're considering our options for the short term, medium term, and long term."
Speculation is increasing that Toyota plans to gradually enhance its renewed participation in Formula 1. Although Haas has a well-established technical partnership with Ferrari, the small American team has recently signed a deal with Toyota's motorsport division, Toyota Gazoo Racing. This adds a more Japanese influence to Haas, particularly with the team now led by Japanese engineer Ayao Komatsu. "This team wouldn’t exist without Ferrari," Komatsu told the Japan Times. "What Toyota is offering us is in the areas where Ferrari cannot assist us, due to regulations."
However, global circumstances may now present Toyota with an ideal chance to increase its involvement with Haas. For example, just hours ago, the parent company Haas Automation announced a "dramatic decrease in demand" for its machine tools as a result of Donald Trump's new and drastic import tariffs. Only days prior, Komatsu expressed his willingness to strengthen ties with Toyota. "Certainly, we are contemplating what we can do in the short, medium, and long term, but for now, we are still in the process of understanding one another," he stated.
Despite this, Toyota Gazoo's leader, Masaya Kaji, mentioned that there are no immediate plans to transform Haas into a works Toyota team, although he recognizes that being part of the grid is now seen as crucial for the automaker. "Leaving F1 closed the door for our personnel—drivers, mechanics, engineers—to challenge in the top category, Formula 1," he said. "Thus, the motivation of our people is significant for us and for technology; I believe that will be the case moving forward. We are only at the beginning."
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