Komatsu sees Cadillac's arrival as 'a threat' to Haas

In 2026, Formula 1 will welcome a second American team with the arrival of Cadillac on the grid. For Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas, the arrival of the Detroit firm represents a threat to his team's position in F1.

Published 04/02/2025 à 17:02

Dorian Grangier

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Komatsu sees Cadillac's arrival as 'a threat' to Haas

© Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Haas will no longer be alone in 2026. Present on the grid since 2016, Gene Haas' team will no longer be the only American team on the grid next year, with the arrival of General Motors and the Cadillac team in Formula 1. The Detroit firm arrives as the eleventh team in the championship and will become the first new team on the grid since… Haas, almost ten years ago. If the arrival of an eleventh team has long made teeth grind, in particular concerning either the anti-dilution tax, considered too low by some, or the decrease in revenues and the value of the teams, regretted by others.

However, for Haas CEO Ayao Komatsu, Cadillac's arrival represents more of a sporting threat. "Any new team represents a threat because it is another team that can take a place in the championship from you," the Japanese manager emphasizes. in an interview with RacingNews365. My philosophy doesn't change: I shouldn't worry about something I can't control. You have to focus on what you can control, which is the team. So that's what I focus on."

Haas can grow with Toyota

Like Haas, Cadillac will make its Formula 1 debut with a power unit Ferrari, starting in 2026 and for two years. In 2028, General Motors should be able to produce and operate its own in-house engine, a promise made to the FIA ​​and F1 to facilitate its candidacy. The arrival of General Motors via Cadillac in the premier class adds a new manufacturer involved in the discipline, like Mercedes, Ferrari, Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren, Honda, Ford (in 2026)… but also Toyota. Since last October, The Japanese firm has returned to F1 and has formed a technical partnership with Haas. The American team – the smallest team on the grid in terms of workforce with around 330 employees – can now benefit from Toyota's expertise and facilities, to the great delight of Ayao Komatsu.

“If you look at F1 today, a lot of teams are constructors, factory teams. With a private team, it takes a lot of time. It’s difficult. That’s why it’s a very good thing that we have this technical partnership with Toyota, Haas Team Principal rejoices. Okay, we are not a factory team, but the way we are organised, with the collaboration of Ferrari, that is the basis. On top of that, we now have the technical partnership of Toyota. Of course, we have to live up to it, but I think we have the ingredients to make big strides, and I am not just talking about next year, but the future.

ALSO READ > Toto Wolff says Cadillac didn't pay enough to enter Formula 1

Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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