F1 News: Esteban Ocon Reacts to Haas and Toyota Partnership
October 18, 2024
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Esteban Ocon has reacted to the news that Toyota Gazoo Racing and the Haas Formula 1 team have formed a multi-year technical partnership. This collaboration marks Toyota’s return to the sport, reigniting its involvement since its withdrawal as a works team and engine supplier in 2009. The partnership covers the exchange of technical expertise, knowledge, and resources.
Haas, an American team that debuted in Formula 1 in 2016 and has been closely linked with Ferrari as a satellite team, stands to benefit hugely from Toyota’s engineering and manufacturing experience. Ayao Komatsu, Haas’s team principal, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership.
“I’m hugely excited that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have come together to enter into this technical partnership,” he stated. “To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise – it’s simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides.
“The ability to tap into the resources and knowledge base available at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, while benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental in our own development and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1.
Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 attends the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas…. Esteban Ocon of France and Alpine F1 attends the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 17, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Sutton/Getty Images). Toyota Gazoo Racing has formed a multi-year technical partnership with the Haas F1 team, with Ocon reacting to the news.
Mark Sutton/Getty Images
“In return we offer a platform for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to fully utilize and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities.”
Komatsu also admitted his gratitude to individuals involved in supporting the partnership, including Stefano Domenicali and Fred Vasseur from the Ferrari team.
“I’m naturally pleased that we’ve had the support of the likes of Formula 1 and our long-term partner, Scuderia Ferrari – who we announced our further continuation with earlier in the season, in the formation of this new technical partnership – designed to achieve continued success in our Formula 1 endeavors.
“Together with Gene Haas, I’d specifically like to thank Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1) and Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari) on that front, and with Toyota I’d like to thank Akio Toyoda (Chairman – Toyota Motor Corporation), Tomoya Takahashi (President – GAZOO Racing Company) and Masaya Kaji (Project Manager – GAZOO Racing Company).
“Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is looking forward to the collaborative results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and fulfil our combined ambitions.”
For Toyota, the return to Formula 1 through this partnership represents an opportunity to deepen its expertise in motorsports. From 2002 to 2009, Toyota participated as a full works team, achieving 13 podium finishes and a best result of fourth in the Constructors’ Championship. Now, the company returns to the pinnacle of motorsports with a renewed focus. Tomoya Takahashi, President of Gazoo Racing Company, stated:
“We are pleased to announce that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing have concluded a basic agreement to enter a technical partnership such as Haas vehicle development.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Gene Haas, Mr. Ayao Komatsu, Mr. Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1), Mr. Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari), and all our existing partners of the team for their exceptional cooperation and understanding in this collaboration.
“By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers, engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, and we desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry.”
Toyota’s technical contribution will encompass design, technical, and manufacturing support, while Haas offers its own insights into commercial operations, laying the groundwork for a modern and innovative collaboration.
Esteban Ocon, slated to join Haas in the 2025 season, expressed enthusiasm regarding the partnership, an element he was unaware of when he agreed to join the team. Ocon said the following in today’s interviews ahead of the United States Grand Prix:
“Yeah, for sure. Back then, Ayao convinced me with the plan he had. He didn’t specifically talk about that, but he really told me what his plan was to take this team to the next level and help on the things that the team have the chance to improve on.
“He convinced me back then and it reinforces me to clearly trust him for the future. I think it’s exciting times for the teams ahead.”
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