At last weekend’s British Grand Prix, keen eyes spotted an attentive guest in the Haas garage, Toyota Gazoo Racing executive Masaya Kaji, a presence that has fueled speculation of a return of the Japanese manufacturer to F1.
Toyota's last hurrah in the sport was in 2009, leaving a legacy of failed achievement and financial strain. Now, with a renewed focus on electric and hybrid technology, a return to the pinnacle of motorsport could be a strategic move.
Partnering with Haas wouldn't require a full-blown factory team setup. Rumors suggest a multi-phased approach. Initially, Toyota could sponsor Haas, similar to Alfa Romeo's involvement with Sauber. This would be followed in 2026 by a deeper technical collaboration.
According to a report from Hungarian website Formula.hu, discussions are underway for Toyota to collaborate with Haas in the manufacturing of their F1 car’s chassis components alongside the team’s continued collaboration with Dallara, the Italian chassis manufacturer that currently designs and builds Haas’ cars.
This partnership would also involve the use in the future of Toyota’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility in Cologne, which could be a game-changer for the US outfit.
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While there are no immediate plans for Toyota to develop their own engines, sources indicate that this could also be a future consideration.
Interestingly, in addition to Masaya Kaji’s presence in the Haas garage at Silverstone, Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu was also spotted spending time in Toyota Gazoo Racing’s hospitality unit at Le Mans last month.
A more audacious possibility, and one that is now speculated upon, is a full takeover of Haas by Toyota, which could pave the way for a full-fledged return to F1 with the manufacturer’s own next-generation engine.
However, last year, Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe’s vice chairman, Kazuki Nakajima, downplayed the prospect of Toyota returning to F1
“At the moment, it’s a clear no,” commented Nakajima, quoted by Planet F1.
“This is just about giving a driver the opportunity to get his foot in the F1 door. But of course, you can think about anything, and there are plenty of rumors. Who knows what the future holds?”
Jarno Trulli at the wheel of the Toyota TF109 at the 2009 Brazilian GP.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve with new regulations and technological advancements, the re-entry of a major manufacturer like Toyota could have significant implications for the sport.
The potential partnership with Haas offers a strategic pathway for Toyota to re-establish its presence in F1, leveraging its engineering prowess and extensive motorsport experience.
For now, it’s all just speculation with nothing tangible to confirm the rumors. But the F1 community will be keeping its ear to the ground.
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