For the first time in 15 years, Toyota will return to Formula 1 after signing a technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team effective immediately.
As part of the multi-year agreement, Haas and Toyota – through their motorsport and R&D division Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) – will “share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources”.
The deal will run alongside the agreement with Ferrari, whom Haas have worked with since they entered the sport in 2016.
TGR will provide design, technical and manufacturing services to Haas, while the F1 team will offer technical expertise and commercial benefits in return. The aim is for Haas to improve their development and competitive standing within the sport with Toyota developing their own knowledge and skills through F1.
Haas Boss Ayao Komatsu, said: “I’m hugely excited that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have come together to enter into this technical partnership.
“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.
“I’m naturally pleased that we’ve had the support of the likes of Formula 1 and our long-term partner, Scuderia Ferrari – who we announced our further continuation with earlier in the season, in the formation of this new technical partnership – designed to achieve continued success in our Formula 1 endeavours.”
The deal was announced at Toyota-owned Fuji International Speedway on 4 October and will see Toyota Gazoo Racing branding visible on Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas cars starting from next weekend’s US Grand Prix in Austin.
President of Gazoo Racing Company, Tomoya Takahashi, added: “Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is looking forward to the collaborative results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and fulfil our combined ambitions.
“We are pleased to announce that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have concluded a basic agreement to enter a technical partnership such as Haas vehicle development.
“By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers, engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing, and we desire to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry.”
