Hold onto your helmets, folks! The Haas F1 Team has officially confirmed that it will extend its partnership with Ferrari until the end of the 2028 season, while also keeping the rumor mill buzzing with ongoing talks about potential collaboration with Toyota.
The American-owned Haas team has been working closely with Ferrari since its entry into Formula 1 in 2016. This collaboration has been pivotal, offering Haas engines, gearboxes, and even access to Ferrari’s state-of-the-art facilities like the Maranello wind tunnel and simulator, which have been instrumental in the team’s development.
As we speed towards a new era of turbo hybrid engines in 2026, teams are ensuring their ducks are in a row. Haas, widely expected to continue its relationship with Ferrari, has now confirmed it. “I’m thrilled to extend our relationship with Scuderia Ferrari until 2028,” said Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. The deal ensures stability and continuity, enabling Haas to focus on its ongoing development and ambitions.
And in the middle of all this, there’s been quite a buzz about potential ties with Toyota. Rumors ranged from title sponsorship and engine programs to utilizing Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne. Although Haas has kept mum, it’s understood that conversations are happening. These talks are preliminary, so don’t expect a full-scale Toyota return to F1 just yet. However, the idea of technical collaboration and personnel exchange could bring some exciting developments.
Even McLaren recently dipped its toes into a similar waters, exploring opportunities with Toyota, backed by the presence of Ryo Hirakawa as a factory driver and reserve. While this doesn’t scream full-fledged return, it shows Toyota’s interest in keeping a close eye on F1’s cutting-edge technology. McLaren’s team boss, Andrea Stella, mentioned an ‘exchange of how we deal with performance, how we deal with driver development,’ aiming to broaden their horizons.
Kazuki Nakajima of Toyota Gazoo Racing was quick to squash any talks of an F1 return. He clarified that their current engagement is solely focused on supporting drivers like Hirakawa. “For now, it’s clearly no. This deal is really purely focusing on a driver, supporting a driver’s dream,” Nakajima said.
So, while Haas and Ferrari buckle down for a stable future, the Toyota whispers add an extra layer of intrigue. Could we see some groundbreaking innovations stemming from these collaborations? Only time will tell.
With Haas firmly committed to Ferrari until 2028, and tantalizing discussions with Toyota on the horizon, the future looks both stable and thrilling for the team. Buckle up; it’s going to be an exciting ride!
Source: Motorsport
