Toyota insists it has no plans to return to Method 1 as an influence unit provider in future regardless of its new collaboration with Haas.
Haas at the moment makes use of the Ferrari energy unit, gearbox and suspension as a part of an settlement with the Italian constructor, however has introduced Toyota as its official technical companion to assist improve its capabilities. Toyota Gazoo Racing undertaking supervisor Masaya Kaji stated the involvement shouldn’t be a precursor to a better dedication when it comes to both group possession or energy unit provide.
“We now have no plan to have a group in Method 1,” Kaji stated. “At this second we have now the most suitable choice to collaborate with Haas.
“Concerning the ability unit, we have now no plan to enter energy unit supplying at this second.”
Kaji stated there have been discussions with different groups about potential partnerships, however that Haas proved to be the perfect collaboration as Toyota will assist set up a simulator in Banbury and be concerned in a Testing of Earlier Automotive (TPC) program.
“Now we have now a relationship with McLaren, with Ryo Hirakawa, and naturally we have now some connections with different groups,” he stated. “However truly Haas and Komatsu-san is one of the best companion as a result of our scope is precisely the identical, and we are able to strengthen the group collectively. Our sturdy factors and weak factors match completely. So we discovered a very good reply to collaborate with Haas and Komatsu-san.
“We will provide simulator companies and {hardware}, software program, all of the issues, and we will help the TPC with the simulator aspect, too. After all our simulator is now for WEC and buyer applications, however our simulator engineers are prime stage and we are able to provide a very good service. And we are able to be taught extra, by this undertaking, about F1.”
The TPC program will present a possibility for Toyota drivers to get expertise in F1 automobiles, and Komatsu stated that might even lengthen right into a reserve driver place.
“That’s positively an open risk,” Komatsu stated. “As an example, for subsequent yr’s reserve driver, I haven’t truly sat down with Fred (Vasseur, Ferrari group principal, to debate) who could be a reserve driver, or the driving force who’s in consideration.
“However simply to verify it’s clear, we aren’t speaking a couple of pay driver, no matter Toyota driver or non-Toyota driver. We’ll at all times be taking one of the best driver for sporting outcomes. So the reserve driver would be the identical, we haven’t made any choices however we’re not ruling something out both. It’s based mostly on the competence of the driving force.”
