Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas, reviews the 2025 season, which saw the American team make significant progress compared to 2024. Although Haas did not achieve the target of sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, the outlook for the future appears promising.
A mixed 2025 season, but steady progress
In the 2025 Formula 1 season, Haas experienced both challenging and exhilarating moments. At the end of the 24-race calendar, the team finished with 21 points more than the previous year, securing eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
This means that, while the initial objective was not fully met, the gap to sixth place – claimed by Racing Bulls thanks to a standout rookie season from Isack Hadjar and the return of Liam Lawson – was not insurmountable. Only 13 points separated Haas from sixth, a small margin given the long season that concluded a few weeks ago.
“We did not achieve our goal of sixth place, which is obviously disappointing,” said Ayao Komatsu, summarizing the team’s season. “However, looking back at our journey, there are many positives. We finished just 13 points behind Racing Bulls’ sixth place and once again had the fifth-fastest car in Abu Dhabi.”
Overcoming challenges
The start of the 2025 season was difficult for Haas. The team discovered an issue with the VF-25 on high-speed corners, with bouncing returning to disrupt the American cars. This was unexpected, as pre-season testing in Bahrain had not revealed the problem due to the different track characteristics of Sakhir.
“We discovered a major issue in the first race of the season, but we stayed united as a team, resolved it quickly, and continued to improve the car until the last round. How the team handled adversity, from Melbourne’s car issue to the pit-stop problem in Qatar, demonstrates the strength of our foundations. We are building the team well for future challenges, even though I know next year’s major regulation changes will be the biggest challenge since our debut season.”
Season highlight: Mexico Grand Prix
Komatsu highlighted the fourth-place finish of Oliver Bearman at the Mexican Grand Prix as the team’s standout performance. Not only for the position itself but for Bearman’s ability to outperform Max Verstappen and hold off George Russell and Oscar Piastri.
“Ollie’s fourth place in Mexico clearly showed what we are capable of. He passed Max, kept Russell and Piastri at bay, and we beat some of the strongest teams on merit. The whole team performed at the highest level, from tyre management to pit stops, where we gained a second on Mercedes. That race demonstrated our true potential when we bring all our strengths together.”
“We scored 21 points more than last season. That tells me we have come a long way. Scoring 79 points in such a competitive 2025 championship shows we are a much stronger team than a year ago. In the final race, we were genuinely the best after the top teams. Everyone should be proud. Obviously, we are still far from our ultimate goal, but the way we work together and the values we have built give me great confidence for the future.”
Toyota commitment and future ambitions
Haas also benefited from increased support from Toyota Gazoo Racing, which even redirected part of its WRC budget – roughly one-third – to Komatsu’s F1 team.
“The new title sponsor for 2026 reflects our ambition. There is no point being in F1 if you are not here to compete. We want to keep improving and fight for higher positions in the standings. The growth you are seeing is exactly what we need to take the next step.”
As Haas transitions into this new chapter, the synergy between their American racing spirit and Toyota’s technical precision is becoming the team’s defining edge. With a stabilized technical platform and a driver lineup capable of punching above its weight, the 2026 regulations represent more than just a change in the rules; they offer a genuine opportunity for Haas to break out of the midfield and challenge the elite. The lessons learned during the hard-fought 2025 campaign have laid the groundwork, and with Toyota’s financial and technical might now fully behind them, Komatsu’s vision of a competitive Haas is closer to reality than ever before.
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