Haas F1 Team to enter technical partnership with Toyota

After a 15-year absence from the sport, Toyota have announced that they are returning to F1, entering an effective-immediately technical partnership with the Haas F1 team. In a joint statement, the two organisations revealed this as an opportunity to “share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources”. Toyota’s motorsport arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing, intends to provide “design, technical and manufacturing services” with Haas providing “technical expertise and commercial benefits.”

Toyota have been eager to become reinvolved in the sport for several years

The last few decades have seen significant involvement from car manufacturers in F1. Toyota had their own team between 2002 and 2009, but exited the sport after the company experienced its first financial loss. During this period, the team achieved 13 podiums and a highest finish of 4th place in the Constructor’s Championship, whilst also supplying engines to Jordan in 2005 (and 2006, when it became Midland F1 Team), and Williams from 2007-2009. The team gained a reputation as one of the least successful teams on the grid, with the biggest disconnection between budget and success.

Toyota have been eager to become reinvolved in the sport for several years, but have missed out on such opportunities due to the overarching presence of rival Japanese manufacturer, Honda. As a result, Toyota have been unable to employ many aspiring Japanese racers, but hopes now that their own presence in the sport will offset this dominance.

So why have these two organisations decided to join forces? According to Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, the team are lacking “certain resources and hardware capabilities” that Toyota will be able to provide them with. Komatsu also revealed that the team’s owner Gene Haas was “not difficult to convince” when the deal was proposed, as he explained the “obvious benefits” of the agreement. He equally declared that the partnership and the ability to take advantage of Toyota’s knowledge and resources will be “instrumental”.

It will be interesting to see how the team’s reputation changes as a result of this partnership

Toyota have an impressive facility in Cologne, which is currently home to their World Endurance Championship team, as well as the customer base for their European motorsport activities. Until last year, McLaren were in an agreement with the manufacturer, allowing the team to use their wind tunnel for testing.

This new partnership will not affect Haas’ pre-existing partnership with Ferrari, who supply the team with several parts, including their power unit. Earlier this year, Haas and Ferrari announced an extension of their partnership, which will now last until 2028. As part of this agreement, Haas have access to their own wing of Ferrari’s base in Maranello as well as to Ferrari’s simulator. However, as part of this new agreement, the two companies are looking at building a sim at the team’s UK base, something which they would not be able to achieve without Toyota’s expertise.

Haas currently sit in 6th place in the Constructor’s standings, having overtaken rivals VCARB after Nico Hulkenberg’s P8 finish in this weekend’s US GP. Although they are the smallest team on the grid, it will be interesting to see how the team’s reputation changes as a result of this partnership, and whether they will still be considered a ‘midfield’ team in coming years.