Toyota returns to F1 as Haas partner

Toyota has signed a multi-year technical partnership agreement with the Haas F1 team, effectively marking the Japanese company’s return to F1 for the first time since 2009.

Haas’ F1 cars will sport Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) branding from next weekend’s 2024 United States GP itself. As per the official statement, this new deal will see both Haas and Toyota “share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources”. TGR president Tomoya Takahashi has even described it as “competing alongside” Haas in the pinnacle of motorsport.

·         Haas will continue as a Ferrari customer team

·         Toyota to help with aero development and manufacturing

·         TGR drivers to participate in Haas F1 tests

New Toyota-Haas F1 deal: What is it about?

Haas will continue as a Ferrari customer team, and Toyota will provide them with design, technical expertise and manufacturing services. Toyota says the aim is to develop its own knowledge and skills in a variety of areas through its involvement with the team. What this essentially means is that Toyota will mainly help Haas with aerodynamic development, manufacturing parts and potentially even simulator work.

Toyota’s statement also mentions that the agreement entails TGR drivers, engineers and mechanics participating in future Haas F1 tests. “This will enable the drivers to gain driving experience in F1, and it will allow the engineers and mechanics to learn how to analyse vast amounts of data, such as driving data, to effectively operate a pipeline for such at TGR,” the statement added.

Toyota’s F1 history

“To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organisation 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 F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu.

“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 utilise and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities.”

The deal is the closest that Toyota can get to F1 without having its own team or being an engine supplier. The Japanese manufacturer had previously spent eight seasons in F1 as a works team and engine supplier, scoring 13 podiums and a best finish of fourth in the constructor’s championship. However, it decided to withdraw from F1 at the end of the 2009 season, partly due to the global economic crisis at the time and also because of its lacklustre results.

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