Toyota teams up with Haas in new F1 ‘technical partnership’

Is there such a thing as a slight return to Formula 1? That was the question raised by Toyota’s new ‘technical partnership’ with American-owned Haas.

The deal involves the Japanese manufacturer’s competitions arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing, which currently competes across three fronts – World Endurance, World Rally and World Rally-Raid Championships. Now, in collaboration with Haas, “the two sides aim to contribute to the development of the automotive industry by creating an environment in which young Japanese drivers, engineers and mechanics can gain experience and grow in F1”.

But when the deal was announced Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda was at pains to stress it did not mark a full return for the company which raced – without scoring a single victory – in the top flight from 2002-09. Since its withdrawal, Toyota has kept in arm’s-length contact with F1 through a number of teams, including McLaren, using its Cologne wind tunnel. The Haas partnership edges the manufacturer closer to the pinnacle, but for now can only be taken at face value.