In 2009, Toyota bid farewell to Components 1 after eight seasons within the championship, leaving a major mark as an area staff and engine provider.
Throughout its time in F1, the Japanese model achieved 13 podium finishes and secured fourth place within the Constructors’ Championship, making it some of the aggressive groups on the grid. Though its final participation was in 2009, Toyota has all the time maintained its ties to motorsport, and now, 15 years later, it returns to the large stage.
This comeback materializes by Haas, with a multi-year contract that takes impact instantly. The Japanese model is just not returning as a staff however as a strategic companion, providing technical help and improvement to the American outfit.
Toyota goals to “Anglicize” Haas to interrupt free from Ferrari within the F1 World Championship
Toyota has determined to not return as an official staff to Components 1, however its alliance with Haas represents an vital step in its technique to stay influential within the sport.
By way of its Toyota Gazoo Racing division, the Japanese model will present technical help, improvement, and manufacturing, considerably enhancing the efficiency of the American staff. This help will allow Haas to enhance its potential on the grid whereas permitting Toyota to stay actively concerned within the evolution of F1 with out taking over the dangers of being an official staff.
Regardless of not returning as a staff, Toyota ensures its presence in discussions concerning the brand new engine laws for 2026. The model will even have a say in driver choice, opening the door to the opportunity of a Japanese driver becoming a member of Haas.
Such a technical affect will probably be crucial throughout the transitional part Components 1 will expertise with new adjustments to energy items and laws, permitting Toyota to have a direct presence in future decision-making.
The settlement with Haas might additionally result in a major shift within the staff’s construction. With Toyota’s backing, Haas might start to distance itself from its relationship with Ferrari and shift its improvement focus to England.
This transfer would grant them entry to superior assets, corresponding to Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne and a brand new state-of-the-art simulator—key instruments to reinforce their competitiveness sooner or later. Whereas Toyota buying Haas is just not a right away choice, the technical help Toyota will present marks a brand new chapter in its relationship with the American staff.
Toyota’s cautious strategy highlights its technique of partaking with Components 1 not directly but meaningfully. Appearing as a technical companion as an alternative of a full-fledged constructor permits the model to affect F1’s improvement with out the commitments a full return would entail.
With the introduction of latest technical laws post-2026, this alliance might show essential for Toyota’s future in F1, probably enabling a way more energetic function in the event that they resolve to take the step of buying the American staff.