Toyota re-enters Formula 1, but not with its own team

Toyota is back in Formula 1 after a 15-year hiatus, joining forces with midfielder Haas F1 Team after signing a technical partnership.

Haas, an American team that has competed in F1 since 2016, has reportedly signed a multi-year deal with Toyota that will “share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources” through the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) motorsport division.

It’s the first time Toyota has been involved in F1 since 2009, when it withdrew its factory-backed team at the end of an unsuccessful eight-year campaign.

The deal will run alongside Haas’ arrangement with Ferrari, from which the American team has sourced engines and technical expertise since it entered the sport.

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TGR will provide design, technical and manufacturing services to Haas, who will in turn offer technical expertise and commercial benefits to the Japanese brand.

Haas aims to improve its development and competitive standing in F1, while Toyota is looking to develop its own knowledge and skills.

The American team’s boss, Ayao Komatsu, says he is “hugely excited” to have signed a deal with TGR.

“The ability to tap into the resources and knowledge base available at Toyota Gazoo Racing, while benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental in our own development,” he said.

“In return we offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilise and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities.”

The deal was today announced at the Toyota-owned Fuji International Speedway in Japan, with the arrangements to be effective immediately.

TGR branding will be visible on Haas’ F1 cars from next week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. With the support of TGR, Haas looks to continue to chase down the RB F1 Team, which sacked Daniel Ricciardo following this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Toyota has long been involved in other forms of motorsport, as it continues to field its own GR teams in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and World Endurance Championship (WEC).

It also continues work on the GR GT3 race car set to debut in 2026, while it recently announced it would be joining the Australian Supercars championship in the same year.

The Japanese brand’s last tenure in F1 was before the days of TGR. It debuted in the 2002 Australian Grand Prix and went on to compete in 140 races, during which it scored a total of 13 podiums, no wins, and a best Constructors’ Championship finish of fourth place.

The team left F1 at the end of 2009 following its parent company’s first ever financial loss, despite already having a near-fully developed car ready for the 2010 season.

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