Toyota is making its return to Formula 1 after a hiatus since 2009, entering a multi-year technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team that begins immediately. The Japanese manufacturer previously competed as a works team and engine supplier for eight seasons, achieving 13 podium finishes and a best constructors’ championship position of fourth.
Under this new agreement, Haas and Toyota, through their motorsport and R&D division, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), will collaborate to "share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources." This partnership will run alongside Haas's existing arrangement with Ferrari, which has been in place since their entry into F1 in 2016.
TGR will provide design, technical, and manufacturing services to Haas, while Haas will reciprocate with technical expertise and commercial advantages. The partnership aims to enhance Haas’s development and competitive edge in the sport while allowing Toyota to expand its own technical knowledge through F1.
“I’m hugely excited that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have come together to enter into this technical partnership. To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise – it’s simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides," said Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.
He added, “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 and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1. In return we offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilize and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities. I’m naturally pleased that we’ve had the support of the likes of Formula 1 and our long-term partner, Scuderia Ferrari – who we announced our further continuation with earlier in the season,"
"In the formation of this new technical partnership – designed to achieve continued success in our Formula 1 endeavours. Together with Gene Haas, I’d specifically like to thank Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1) and Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari) on that front, and with Toyota I’d like to thank Akio Toyoda (Chairman – Toyota Motor Corporation), Tomoya Takahashi (President – Gazoo Racing Company) and Masaya Kaji (Project Manager – Gazoo Racing Company). Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is looking forward to the collaborative results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and fulfil our combined ambitions," he concluded.
President of Gazoo Racing Company Tomoya Takahashi commented: “We are pleased to announce that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have concluded a basic agreement to enter a technical partnership such as Haas vehicle development. We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Gene Haas, Mr. Ayao Komatsu, Mr. Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1), Mr. Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari), and all our existing partners of the team for their exceptional cooperation and understanding in this collaboration,"
“By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers, engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing, and we desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry," he added
The partnership was officially announced at the Toyota-owned Fuji International Speedway and will see Toyota Gazoo Racing branding appear on Haas drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen's cars starting at the upcoming United States Grand Prix in Austin. Currently, Haas sits seventh in the constructors’ championship, just three points behind Red Bull Racing in the battle for sixth place.
