Esteban Ocon is brimming with optimism about Haas’ future – and a big part of that excitement comes from Toyota stepping up its involvement with the US outfit.
With the Japanese giant set to become Haas’ title partner from the 2026 season, Ocon believes the deal represents far more than a change of name for the F1 team.
Instead, the Frenchman sees it as a powerful cultural and technical alliance that could help propel Haas into a new era.
Haas confirmed ahead of last weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi that Toyota will replace MoneyGram as the team’s title sponsor, expanding a relationship that began in October last year.
Timing No Coincidence
The timing is no coincidence, coming after Haas’ strongest-ever campaign in 2025, where the team scored a career-best 79 points with Toyota’s support behind the scenes.
For Ocon, the announcement was a major confidence boost.
“The Toyota deal is taking a step up next year. It’s fantastic,” Ocon said at Yas Marina.
©Haas
He revealed that Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu had already hinted at a deeper technical collaboration when discussions began.
“Ayao [Komatsu, Haas Team Principal] told me that we were going to have TPC [running], and we were going to have some good stuff coming in,” the Frenchman added.
“When I signed, he didn’t tell me the reasons why, but everything was held.”
That secrecy, Ocon admits, only added to the sense that something special was brewing behind the scenes.
More than branding: passion, values and racing DNA
Ocon is adamant that Toyota’s involvement goes well beyond sponsorship optics. For him, the partnership resonates on a personal level, rooted in shared values and a genuine love of motorsport.
“Toyota is a brand that I really enjoy working with. I’m not saying that because they are working with us; I really mean it,” Ocon added.
“They have great values, they have great respect, and they are passionate about racing. They are petrolheads, basically.”
©Haas
That passion, he says, has already translated into hands-on experiences well outside the traditional F1 environment — experiences he and team-mate Oliver Bearman have relished.
“They’ve put us on the gravel track; they’ve put us on the craziest track I’ve ever seen on the road,” he revealed. “They’ve made me test the WRC car in Goodwood. It’s fantastic to work with them.”
Eyes on 2026 and beyond
With Formula 1’s major rules reset looming in 2026, Ocon believes Toyota’s deeper technical involvement and bespoke performance programmes could be perfectly timed for Haas.
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“I think this next year is really going to step up in terms of involvement and what we are going to do together. It’s awesome,” Ocon concluded.
As Haas prepares for one of the most significant regulation changes in the sport’s history, Ocon’s enthusiasm reflects a team that feels aligned, energised and ready to capitalise on Toyota’s return to the forefront of Formula 1.
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