According to reports from *Auto, Motor und Sport*, the FIA is currently working on regulation changes for 2026, including a proposal that could be devastating for Haas.
The proposal aims to impose stricter controls on teams using transferable components from other teams. These so-called “non-listed parts” are intellectual property of one team that can be supplied to others on the grid. Teams like Haas and Racing Bulls (a Red Bull-affiliated team) have long relied on acquiring as many transferable components as possible from Ferrari and Red Bull, respectively, to save on budget.
However, the strong results achieved by these teams in 2024 have caused discontent among midfield competitors. Teams like Aston Martin, Alpine, and Williams appear frustrated with the idea of losing to what they consider “satellite teams” that exploit regulations to avoid fully developing their own cars.
This has led to a proposal under consideration by the FIA: starting in 2026, any team finishing in the top five would be required to produce all components independently.
**KOMATSU’S WORDS**
Ayao Komatsu, team principal of Haas, addressed the risks posed by the proposed regulation changes.
“It would be a killer rule for small teams,” he said. “If F1 truly wants more competition, it should oppose this. What’s better in sport than a David versus Goliath victory? What fan genuinely cares if the gearbox or suspension is made by Ferrari or by us? We’re credited with an equivalent nominal value for purchased components under the budget cap. It’s so high that we have no advantage.”
Haas is, by far, the smallest and least funded team on the grid. The American outfit recently partnered with Toyota, largely for economic reasons. If forced to produce its cars entirely in-house, Haas’ entire business model could be jeopardized.
When factoring in Haas’ strong recent results and the Racing Bulls’ increasing dependence on Red Bull, it’s easy to see why other teams might support the new proposal. McLaren CEO Zak Brown recently stated that customer teams “pose a serious problem for the sport’s fairness!”
The topic is expected to be highly contentious, with further updates to come. For now, however, Haas’ hopes appear to hang by a thread.
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