Haas targets budget cap push for 2027 as Komatsu confirms positive sponsor talks

Haas is making meaningful progress in its search for new commercial partners, with team principal Ayao Komatsu expressing confidence that the American outfit can push its annual budget closer to Formula 1’s $215 million cap by 2027.

F1’s smallest team by headcount — just over 400 employees — Haas has operated well below the budget cap throughout its existence. The team currently carries Toyota’s Gazoo Racing as its title sponsor, a deal that replaced MoneyGram’s arrangement at the start of this season, but Komatsu has been actively seeking additional partners to fund infrastructure improvements and expand the workforce.

“We’re talking to so many prospects; it’s getting there. I’d say very positive about next year’s budget,” Komatsu said over the Madring weekend. “It just helps massively. But I think slowly and surely we are getting our story out there and finding great people. So, yeah, it’s good so far.”

Rumours have linked Haas to BWT, the Austrian company currently serving as Alpine’s title sponsor. BWT is set to depart Alpine at the end of 2026 as the French team prepares a new title partnership with fashion house Gucci for 2027. Komatsu moved quickly to dismiss the most visible implication of those reports. “We’re not going to have pink cars, if that’s what you are saying,” he said.

This is not the first time Haas has been connected to BWT. The company was previously touted as a destination for the Austrian brand after it ended its deal with Aston Martin following the 2021 season, before ultimately joining Alpine in pursuit of greater livery space for its signature pink colour.

On the driver front, Komatsu confirmed that commercial considerations would not drive the team’s 2027 line-up decision unless two candidates were essentially inseparable on pace. Ryo Hirakawa, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Rafael Camara have all conducted tests in previous-specification cars as Haas evaluates its options. Komatsu estimated around five drivers are in contention, a group that is understood to include current race driver Esteban Ocon — whose form has improved recently — and Yuki Tsunoda.