Haas didn’t mention Toyota deal during talks with Esteban Ocon over F1 move

Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has disclosed that its new Formula 1 partnership with Toyota was not a factor that he used to persuade Esteban Ocon to sign for the team.

Haas announced on Friday that it has entered a technical alliance with Toyota which will see the Japanese marque’s emblem return to F1 for the first time since 2009.

READ MORE: Haas reveals F1 technical alliance with Toyota

The American outfit will be able to utilise Toyota’s Cologne wind tunnel, aerodynamic expertise and design and manufacturing capabilities as part of the arrangement.

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Toyota’s tentative comeback will also see it provide Haas with a simulator at its Banbury base as F1’s newest side endeavours to continue rising up the pecking order.

Haas’ tie-up with a huge automotive brand comes as the team prepares to field a revised driver line-up as Ferrari prospect Oliver Bearman will partner Ocon next term.

Ocon, who will end a long association with Alpine to move to Haas, expressed that his relationship with Komatsu at the Enstone-based squad held a role in his choice.

“Obviously I have a very long history with Ayao, who’s been my first race engineer in Formula 1 and he’s convinced me of his plan on where they want to head to.

“I’ve got the same goal as they have, so it is fantastic to finally be teaming up.”

Haas avoided making promises in Ocon talks

Komatsu, though, has denied that Toyota was brought up during his talks with Ocon as he wanted to avoid making assurances that were not set in stone at that point.

Asked whether the alliance with the manufacturer was involved in his sales pitch to the Frenchman, Komatsu told media including Motorsport Week: “Not specifically.

“I did say to him we have a development plan to take this team forward and to make a reasonable step change, if you like.

“But the point where I was trying to finalise Esteban’s contract which was around Austria time, it was too early for me to guarantee anything to Esteban.

“I never wanted to tell Esteban something that I cannot guarantee and then he signed from that understanding, and then I cannot tell Esteban three months later ‘sorry mate, I couldn’t make it happen’.

“He signed with the understanding that there’s a vision to take this team forward, and instead of being specific about this technical partnership, I told him how we are planning to develop the team, and then he was very much on board with that idea.”

READ MORE: Toyota tentatively stepping back into F1: No PU plans at Haas