Agreement between Haas and Toyota, Esteban Ocon unaware during negotiations for F1 contract. Haas did not use the agreement with Toyota to its advantage in negotiations with Esteban Ocon..

The agreement between Haas and Toyota played no role in the negotiations to bring Esteban Ocon to the team. This was revealed by the American team’s team principal, Ayao Komatsu.

Last week, the star-spangled team announced a new technical partnership with Toyota. The symbol of the Japanese brand will thus return to F1 after 15 years away. However, it is not a “true” return. Haas will remain powered by Ferrari. The agreement provides that the Japanese company will offer the American team design, technical, and production services in exchange for technical expertise and commercial advantages.

A “covered” card
The American team will enter the next season with a completely new lineup. Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon will be the two main drivers.

The Frenchman, in particular, signed his new contract in July. Speaking about the agreement with Esteban Ocon, Ayao Komatsu revealed that the partnership between Haas and Toyota was never used in negotiations with the soon-to-be former Alpine driver.

“I didn’t specifically talk about it,” explained the Japanese manager. “I told him that we have a development plan to move this team forward and make a reasonable step up. At the moment I was trying to finalize Esteban’s contract, more or less in Austria, it was too early to guarantee him anything.” – he pointed out – “I would never have wanted to tell him something I couldn’t guarantee. If he had signed based on that agreement, I couldn’t have told him three months later, ‘Sorry mate, I couldn’t deliver.’ He signed with the understanding that there’s a vision to move the team forward,” Ayao Komatsu concluded. “Instead of being specific about this technical partnership, I told him how we’re planning to develop the team. He strongly agreed with that vision.” – the Haas team principal confirmed..