Oct 11 (Askume) – The U.S. Haas Formula One team and Toyota announced a multi-year technology partnership on Friday that will see Japan’s biggest automaker return to grand prix racing for the first time since 2009.
Haas will continue to use Ferrari power units after agreeing in July to extend the contract until the end of 2028 .
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, who is Japanese, is seventh in the constructors’ world championship with 31 points and will compete in next week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
A partnership with the automaker’s motorsport arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing, begins immediately, with the brand using the VF-24 race car driven by Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen at Circuit of the Americas.
Toyota Gazoo Racing will become Haas’ official technical partner, sharing expertise, knowledge and resources. Toyota will provide design, technology and manufacturing services.
“With a world leader in the automotive industry working together with our organization to develop and sharpen its technology and engineering expertise, this partnership is mutually beneficial,” Komatsu said in a statement.
“Being able to leverage the resources and knowledge base of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, and benefit from their technology and manufacturing processes, will support our own development and achieve our clear desire to further enhance our competitiveness in Formula One.”
“In turn, we provide TOYOTA GAZOO Racing with a platform to leverage and enhance their in-house engineering capabilities.”
Komatsu also thanked Ferrari and team owner Fred Vasseur, as well as Formula 1 boss and former Ferrari president Stefano Domenicali, for their support in establishing the partnership.
Gazoo Racing president Tomoya Takahashi said the partnership also aims to “train drivers, engineers and mechanics”.
Toyota is active in the World Rally Championship and endurance racing and has a wind tunnel at its well-equipped headquarters in Cologne, Germany, which was used by F1 championship leaders McLaren until they built their own.
Next year, Haas will have a new line-up consisting of experienced Frenchman Esteban Ocon and British newbie Oliver Behrmann, who is Ferrari’s replacement and has served as Ferrari and Haas’ first choice in the two races they played this season.
Toyota entered Formula One with its own team in 2002 but never won a race despite having one of the biggest budgets in the sport. They also supplied engines to Williams from 2007 to 2009.
Domestic rivals Honda pulled out of Formula One in 2008 but returned as an engine manufacturer in 2015 and currently partner with champions Red Bull. In 2026, they will enter a new exclusive partnership with Aston Martin.
