Ocon: Toyota's expanded partnership 'fantastic' for Haas' 2026 prospects

Esteban Ocon is brimming with optimism about Haas’ future, fueled by Toyota's decision to step up from a technical partner to the team's title sponsor for the 2026 season. The French driver believes the expanded deal represents a powerful cultural and technical alliance that could propel Haas into a new competitive era, perfectly timed with F1's major regulation reset.

Why it matters:

The partnership shift from MoneyGram to Toyota as title sponsor signals a move from financial backing to deep technical collaboration. For a midfield team like Haas, aligning with an automotive giant renowned for its engineering prowess and racing heritage ahead of a major rules overhaul could be a game-changer, offering resources and expertise beyond a traditional sponsorship.

The details:

• The announcement confirms Toyota will become Haas's title partner from 2026, rebranding the team as TGR Haas F1 Team, following a successful 2025 season where Haas scored a career-best 79 points with Toyota's initial support.
• Ocon revealed that Team Principal Ayao Komatsu hinted at this deeper collaboration during contract discussions, creating a sense of anticipation for a "step up" in technical involvement.
• The driver emphasizes the partnership's cultural fit, praising Toyota's values, respect, and genuine passion for motorsport, which has already translated into unique driver development experiences like testing a WRC car.

What's next:

All eyes are on the 2026 season. With new technical and power unit regulations coming into effect, Toyota's expanded role is seen as perfectly timed to help Haas design and develop a more competitive car from the ground up. Ocon's enthusiasm suggests the team feels strategically aligned and energized to capitalize on this partnership, aiming to move firmly into the midfield fight.