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Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has revealed the team will operate at F1’s cost cap for the first time ever in 2025, but he warned that also presents a new challenge.
The Haas team, based in Kannapolis, has experienced a surge in revenue from sponsors and secured a respectable seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship, its best finish since 2018. This success has allowed Haas to reach F1’s $135 million cap without the financial support of Gene Haas, the team’s founder. However, team principal Komatsu has cautioned that they must be cautious to avoid surpassing this limit as they strive to build on their recent achievements. Despite the budgetary challenges, Haas has managed to remain competitive by outsourcing some parts production to Ferrari and other external sources. The team’s commitment to staying within the budget cap reflects a shift in mindset towards efficiency and competitiveness, as they aim to maintain their performance level with limited resources. Despite its smaller staff size compared to other teams, Haas has managed to excel on the track and reaching the budget cap is seen as a significant milestone, potentially validating the decision to appoint Komatsu as the new team principal.
