HAAS TO BUILD ITS FIRST F1 SIMULATOR WITH TOYOTA’S SUPPORT

Haas is set to establish its first F1 simulator through a collaboration with Toyota, leveraging the automaker’s engineering expertise.

The Haas Formula 1 team is preparing to construct its first F1 simulator thanks to a new partnership with Toyota. Since joining the grid in 2016, the American team has faced challenges with limited resources and aims to enhance its competitive edge by utilizing Toyota’s engineering skills and technical knowledge.

While Haas continues its collaboration with Ferrari, it plans to build a stronger foundation with the infrastructure and technical support provided by Toyota. This new partnership will enable Haas to make significant advancements in critical areas, particularly addressing the lack of a simulator.

Until now, the American team has relied on Ferrari’s simulator in Maranello, but this new agreement will allow them to establish their own simulator and achieve independence. With access to Toyota’s engineering capabilities, Haas aims to expand both its technical capacity and resources.

Discussing the importance of this collaboration, Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stated, “Honestly, this partnership is a significant opportunity and a logical step for our team. To stay within budget limits, you need to be efficient in terms of cost and time. We are limited in this regard with our current model, which makes it difficult to be competitive.”

“Gene is extremely determined about the Formula 1 team. He always asks me what we can do to improve, how we can consistently finish in the top 5 or 6, and how we can fight for podiums. Therefore, it was not difficult at all to convince Gene about this.”

With the partnership with Toyota, Haas has not only gained technical resources but also demonstrated its ambition to target higher positions in Formula 1.

Komatsu emphasized that this partnership is a crucial step not just for securing resources but also for ensuring a more stable and successful future for the team: “Everyone has gotten used to seeing Haas as the unofficial ‘underdog’ team in Formula 1, but achieving success with limited resources is challenging. This agreement with Toyota will allow our team to compete in a more level playing field.”