Photo: @TOYOTA_GR
Toyota have been sensationally linked with a return to Formula 1, potentially teaming up with the American Haas team.
Haas currently lies seventh in the constructors championship and have secured two top-six finishes at the Austrian and British Grand Prix courtesy of German Nico Hulkenberg.
Since entering F1 in 2016, Haas has been linked with Ferrari, helping the team's young driver academy members, Mick Schumacher and Oliver Bearman, graduate to F1.
The partnership could come to an end as respected Hungarian outlet Formula.hu reports Toyota is looking to sponsor Haas from 2025, returning the Japanese manufacturer to Grand Prix racing.
However, despite finishing on the podium 13 times between 2002 and 2009, Toyota failed to make the final step and win a race. The team were serial underachievers during their seven years in F1. This was due to a combination of wasteful financial investment, slow decision-making between the race team and parent company, and poor driver choices.
The team's best result in the constructors championship came in 2005 finishing fourth behind Ferrari, picking up five podium finishes through Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli.
After the parent company made its first financial loss, Toyota cancelled its F1 program at the end of 2009.
In 2024, the company made its first steps back into the F1 world with the arrival of Toyota-backed driver Ritomo Miyata into Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport. Toyota hypercar driver Ryo Hirakawa joined McLaren's driver development program in September 2023 and is part of the F1 team's reserve driver pool.
At last Sunday's British GP, Toyota Gazoo Racing's boss, Masaya Kaji, was seen in the American team's garage. In contrast, Haas' team principal, Ayao Komatsu, visited TGR's hospitality unit after June's Le Mans 24 Hours.
Haas could make use of Toyota's old wind tunnel in Cologne. Andretti Global still uses the facility as it prepares to join the F1 grid in 2028 alongside General Motors' luxury brand Cadillac. McLaren also used the wind tunnel until July 2023 before switching to an in-house option in October of the same year.
It's not clear whether Toyota will also introduce an engine program when new power unit regulations come into service in 2026. Further reports from Formula.hu and RacingNews365 speculate the Japanese manufacturer is still undecided about whether to supply Haas with exclusive engines.
Since entering F1 in 2016, Haas has been linked with Ferrari, helping the team's young driver academy members, Mick Schumacher and Oliver Bearman, graduate to F1.
The partnership could come to an end as respected Hungarian outlet Formula.hu reports Toyota is looking to sponsor Haas from 2025, returning the Japanese manufacturer to Grand Prix racing.
The dissapointing first chapter
Toyota entered F1 in 2002 and scored points in their first race, thanks to Mika Salo's sixth-place finish at the Australian GP.However, despite finishing on the podium 13 times between 2002 and 2009, Toyota failed to make the final step and win a race. The team were serial underachievers during their seven years in F1. This was due to a combination of wasteful financial investment, slow decision-making between the race team and parent company, and poor driver choices.
The team's best result in the constructors championship came in 2005 finishing fourth behind Ferrari, picking up five podium finishes through Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli.
After the parent company made its first financial loss, Toyota cancelled its F1 program at the end of 2009.
The slow return
Since 2012, Toyota switched its focus to sportscars and rallying, winning three Le Mans 24 Hours and four world rally championships.In 2024, the company made its first steps back into the F1 world with the arrival of Toyota-backed driver Ritomo Miyata into Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport. Toyota hypercar driver Ryo Hirakawa joined McLaren's driver development program in September 2023 and is part of the F1 team's reserve driver pool.
At last Sunday's British GP, Toyota Gazoo Racing's boss, Masaya Kaji, was seen in the American team's garage. In contrast, Haas' team principal, Ayao Komatsu, visited TGR's hospitality unit after June's Le Mans 24 Hours.
How would it work?
Like Sauber's partnership with Alfa Romeo from 2018 to 2023, Toyota would initially sponsor the team before forming a technical relationship in the years to come. The manufacturer could work alongside Haas' current chassis builder, Dallara, to help produce the team's car for 2025.Haas could make use of Toyota's old wind tunnel in Cologne. Andretti Global still uses the facility as it prepares to join the F1 grid in 2028 alongside General Motors' luxury brand Cadillac. McLaren also used the wind tunnel until July 2023 before switching to an in-house option in October of the same year.
It's not clear whether Toyota will also introduce an engine program when new power unit regulations come into service in 2026. Further reports from Formula.hu and RacingNews365 speculate the Japanese manufacturer is still undecided about whether to supply Haas with exclusive engines.
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