In 2009, Toyota bid farewell to Formula 1 after eight seasons in the championship, leaving a significant mark as a local team and engine supplier.
During its time in F1, the Japanese brand achieved 13 podium finishes and secured fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, making it one of the most competitive teams on the grid. Although its last participation was in 2009, Toyota has always maintained its ties to motorsport, and now, 15 years later, it returns to the big stage.
This comeback materializes through Haas, with a multi-year contract that takes effect immediately. The Japanese brand is not returning as a team but as a strategic partner, offering technical support and development to the American outfit.
Toyota aims to “Anglicize” Haas to break free from Ferrari in the F1 World Championship
Toyota has decided not to return as an official team to Formula 1, but its alliance with Haas represents an important step in its strategy to remain influential in the sport.
Through its Toyota Gazoo Racing division, the Japanese brand will provide technical support, development, and production, significantly enhancing the performance of the American team. This support will enable Haas to improve its potential on the grid while allowing Toyota to remain actively involved in the evolution of F1 without taking on the risks of being an official team.
Despite not returning as a team, Toyota ensures its presence in discussions regarding the new engine regulations for 2026. The brand will also have a say in driver selection, opening the door to the possibility of a Japanese driver joining Haas.
This type of technical influence will be critical during the transitional phase Formula 1 will experience with new changes to power units and regulations, allowing Toyota to have a direct presence in future decision-making.
The agreement with Haas could also lead to a significant shift in the team’s structure. With Toyota’s backing, Haas could begin to distance itself from its relationship with Ferrari and shift its development focus to England.
This move would grant them access to advanced resources, such as Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne and a new state-of-the-art simulator—key tools to enhance their competitiveness in the future. While Toyota acquiring Haas is not an immediate option, the technical support Toyota will provide marks a new chapter in its relationship with the American team.
Toyota’s cautious approach highlights its strategy of engaging with Formula 1 indirectly yet meaningfully. Acting as a technical partner instead of a full-fledged constructor allows the brand to influence F1’s development without the commitments a full return would entail.
With the introduction of new technical regulations post-2026, this alliance could prove crucial for Toyota’s future in F1, potentially enabling a much more active role if they decide to take the step of purchasing the American team.
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