Toyota, which had its own Formula 1 team from 2002 to 2009, is considering a return to the sport through a partnership with Haas. Although Toyota never secured a win during its eight-year tenure, it had a competitive 2009 season with five podium finishes. The Japanese automaker exited F1 amid the global financial crisis but has since dominated the FIA World Rally Championship and World Endurance Championship.
According to Formula Hu, Toyota might start its involvement with Haas as early as 2025 through a branding alliance similar to the Alfa Romeo-Sauber partnership. Additionally, Toyota could replace Dallara as the chassis builder for Haas, potentially moving operations to its Gazoo Racing headquarters in Cologne, Germany. This partnership might even lead to a takeover, though Haas owner Gene Haas has not expressed any public intention to sell the team.
Despite its official departure in 2009, Toyota has stayed connected to F1. McLaren, for instance, has used Toyota’s Cologne wind tunnel since 2010 for aerodynamic development. The potential collaboration with Toyota could significantly enhance Haas’ prospects in Formula 1.
Toyota, som havde sit eget Formel 1-hold fra 2002 til 2009, overvejer at vende tilbage til sporten gennem et partnerskab med Haas. Selvom Toyota aldrig sikrede sig en sejr i løbet af deres otte-årige periode, havde de en konkurrencedygtig sæson i 2009 med fem podiepladser. Den japanske bilproducent forlod F1 under den globale finanskrise, men har siden domineret FIA World Rally Championship og World Endurance Championship.
Ifølge Formula Hu kunne Toyota begynde deres involvering med Haas allerede i 2025 gennem en brandingalliance, der ligner Alfa Romeo-Sauber-partnerskabet. Derudover kunne Toyota erstatte Dallara som chassisbygger for Haas, hvilket potentielt kunne flytte operationerne til deres Gazoo Racing-hovedkvarter i Köln, Tyskland. Dette partnerskab kunne endda føre til en overtagelse, selvom Haas-ejeren Gene Haas ikke offentligt har udtrykt nogen intention om at sælge holdet.
På trods af deres officielle afgang i 2009 har Toyota opretholdt forbindelsen til F1. McLaren har for eksempel brugt Toyotas vindtunnel i Köln siden 2010 til aerodynamisk udvikling. Det potentielle samarbejde med Toyota kunne betydeligt forbedre Haas’ udsigter i Formel 1.
