(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, they are not prepared to sign a driver solely based on their nationality. The 50-year-old emphasizes this in connection with the current partnership between the racing team and Toyota.
Read more Explained: Are F1 drivers really remote-controlled by AI in the car?
As a Japanese corporation, the car manufacturer supports numerous drivers from the Land of the Rising Sun in various racing series. Some of them are currently part of the team’s development program.
“I was absolutely honest with Akio-san from day one, so that there would be no misunderstandings,” Komatsu explains in Belgium. Akio-san refers to Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda.
“If we sign a driver based on their nationality, it discredits everyone involved in that decision, including the driver themselves,” says Komatsu. “Because even if the driver possesses the necessary skills, everyone’s perception will be: ‘Oh, he’s only in the cockpit because of Toyota, because of the money,’ and that’s not right.”
The Haas Design for 2026
“That wouldn’t be good for Toyota and Akio-san either, not for the Haas F1 Team or the driver, it just doesn’t work. We’ve said that from day one and I’ve made myself clear to Akio-san. We select drivers 100 percent based on performance.”
The team principal explains that in case of doubt between two drivers with identical performance, factors such as nationality and the resulting financial opportunities can play a role. Nevertheless, Komatsu clearly emphasizes: “The main thing is performance.”
“We will never sign a driver who is slower because they come from Japan or Italy or wherever. We don’t care about that. That’s what’s so outstanding about Formula 1, it’s so international! We shouldn’t bring such a local mindset into such an international, outstanding sport.”
Read more Audi suddenly scores points: Is seventh place in the World Championship now realistic?
Recently, drivers such as Paul Aaron, Jack Doohan, or Ryo Hirakawa were in the team’s orbit. The latter comes from the Toyota stable and has already been active for the brand in Super GT or WEC. At 32 years old, Hirakawa would, however, be an exceptionally old rookie should he ever get the chance to start for Haas.
In addition, Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi, two other drivers from the Toyota squad, will get the chance to test a Formula 1 car in the summer. These two gentlemen would also be among the older generation should they ever debut in Grand Prix racing.
The issue of nationality has often played a significant role in the signing of a team’s driver duo. One only has to think of the Japanese team Super Aguri, which started in 2006 with Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide and presented itself as a national team on wheels.
Only Mr. Ide’s driving competence left much to be desired and already led to a driver change after four races. The former Formula Nippon driver was eventually stripped of his Super License.
Discussions about the driver pairing are no longer news at Haas. For some time now, rumors have been circulating that Esteban Ocon could lose his cockpit. According to the Haas driver, these are “f***ing irrelevant,” to use his own words on the subject, but the question of the lineup for 2027 remains unanswered.
Read more Ferrari with a chance to win in Hungary? Why team boss Vasseur remains cautious