New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\nIt\u2019s not coincidental that the colour scheme is reminiscent of the string of Toyota\u2019s white-and-red cars from its time as a Formula 1 constructor in 2002\u201309.<\/p>\n
Toyota bowed out of the sport in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and after eight winless seasons. It achieved a best finish of fourth in 2005 with Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher, who collected five of the brand\u2019s 13 podiums.<\/p>\n
The brand\u2019s big-spending, low-return F1 experiment has become a cautionary tale of the perils that can trap big auto manufacturers fully invested in a works team.<\/p>\n
Toyota\u2019s quiet and gradual return to the sport is reflective of that experience.<\/p>\n
Toyota had been investigating a path back since the pandemic, and in 2023 it announced a partnership with McLaren that was described as a chance for the two brands to exchange knowledge.<\/p>\n
McLaren, however, had little need for extensive Toyota input as an already established team with a clear path to the front of Formula 1.<\/p>\n
Haas, however, loomed as a more natural counterpart as a minnow and F1\u2019s youngest team, and in 2024 a technical partnership was announced.<\/p>\n
It extended far beyond sponsorship and even the placement of sports car racer Ryo Hirakawa in the team\u2019s reserve driver line-up.<\/p>\n
Toyota engineers, mechanics and drivers would have access to the Haas team, which worked for both parties.<\/p>\n
Haas, the smallest team in F1, would have its staff bolstered and gain access to Toyota\u2019s deep motorsport knowledge bank. It would also get access to Toyota\u2019s wind tunnel in Cologne.<\/p>\n
Toyota would also fund a 14-day private testing program \u2014 something Haas has never had \u2014 as well as build the team a dedicated Formula 1 simulator, meaning it would no longer have to play second fiddle in Ferrari\u2019s Maranello rig.<\/p>\n
In return Toyota could offer prospective engineers a genuine Formula 1 pathway, which would in turn expand its own motorsport capacity. It would also derive commercial benefits from having its name in the ring.<\/p>\n
Haas launches is VF-26 for the 2026 Formula 1 season (Image: Haas F1 Team)Source: Supplied<\/p>\n
This already extensive partnership was expanded at the end of last year, with Toyota becoming the team\u2019s title sponsor.<\/p>\n
Toyota says the new status of the partnership will \u201caccelerate\u201d the company\u2019s work with Haas. In practice it will formalise some elements of what was already happening behind the scenes.<\/p>\n
The Haas driver program, for example, is a joint venture bearing the name of both companies, with Toyota getting a chance to develop Japanese drivers in F1 machinery, something it will undoubtedly hope will lead to getting a driver on the Formula 1 grid in the future.<\/p>\n
In that sense it\u2019s similar to the access Honda had to Red Bull\u2019s junior driver program, culminating in the elevation of Yuki Tsunoda to Formula 1 in 2021.<\/p>\n
Toyota\u2019s closer ties with Haas could provide a path for Jack Doohan to return to Formula 1.<\/p>\n
Aussie Doohan formally cut ties with Alpine earlier this year after the team dumped him just six races into his 2025 rookie season.<\/p>\n
Doohan is tipped to compete for Kondo Racing in Japan\u2019s Super Formula this season, though no deal has yet been announced.<\/p>\n
Konda is closely connected to Toyota, and speculation suggests Doohan could end up with a reserve role at Haas should he end up in the Japanese series.<\/p>\n
Since the original partnership deal was announced, Toyota has been keen to emphasise that it isn\u2019t embarking on a Formula 1 comeback and that too much shouldn\u2019t be read into its activities.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t necessarily follow that Toyota will start contributing specific parts to the Haas team \u2014 for example, a Toyota powertrain program isn\u2019t inevitable.<\/p>\n
Team owner Gene Haas has also been clear that he has no intention of selling the team, ruling out a similar situation to Audi buying Sauber over several years ahead of its 2026 formal works debut.<\/p>\n
All that said, Toyota is clearly involved at a deeper level than, say, Alfa Romeo was when it sponsored the Sauber team in 2015\u201323, when its contribution was strictly financial.<\/p>\n
Ricciardo & Max reunite for track day | 01:18<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Ford\u2019s partnership with Red Bull Powertrains is being heralded as a Formula 1 comeback.<\/p>\n
Ford has been absent from F1 since selling the Jaguar team to Red Bull Racing at the end of 2024, but it hosted both RBR and Racing Bulls for their season launches in Detroit late last week in an all-singing, all-dancing confirmation of its return to the world championship.<\/p>\n
The American marque inked a technical partnership with Red Bull Powertrains in 2023, long after Red Bull\u2019s first-ever power unit prototype had been developed.<\/p>\n
Red Bull had initially targeted a partnership with Porsche and had been in advanced negotiations with the famous German brand when talks collapsed over control of the company, with Red Bull baulking at the prospect of having to answer to an external stakeholder.<\/p>\n
Ford\u2019s inclusion, then, always appeared additional rather than fundamental, though the Blue Oval insists what started as an exchange of knowledge on the hybrid components of the power unit has since expanded to work on the internal combustion engine too. Ford staff are embedded at Red Bull Powertrains, and some manufacturing is undertaken by Detroit.<\/p>\n
If Ford is back in Formula 1, then so too is Toyota \u2014 and the Japanese marque has far more scope to grow into the role with Haas if it desires.<\/p>\n
The reminiscent livery may be just the beginning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAway from track, look at what we\u2019ve achieved over the last couple of years \u2014 we\u2019ve grown as a team not just in numbers but in terms of mentality, mindset and how we go racing,\u201d team boss Ayao Komatsu said. \u201cI feel like we\u2019re progressing our journey very, very well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aussie Jack Doohan released by Alpine | 00:36<\/p>\n
BUT FERRARI REMAINS MORE IMPORTANT TO SUCCESS<\/p>\n
Despite the Toyota connection, Haas\u2019s performance this season will be directly linked to Ferrari, with which it also enjoys a strong technical relationship.<\/p>\n
Ferrari will continue supplying Haas with its power unit, gearbox and rear suspension, which are not only performance parts but also lock the team into several design choices elsewhere on the car. Italian monocoque manufacturer Dallara will still supply Haas with its chassis.<\/p>\n
Both Ferrari and Dallara deals have been in place since Haas joined Formula 1 and are currently integral to the team\u2019s business model. <\/p>\n
Given the power unit in particular is expected to be the key performance differentiator early in this year\u2019s new rule set, Haas will find it difficult to set a target for the season until it understands how well its suppliers have done adapting to the regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore we go racing and even testing, we need to get on top of energy management,\u201d Komatsu explained. \u201cThat\u2019s the huge one.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know if we all understand the full extent of the challenge, because we don\u2019t know what we don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen with aero development, we\u2019re reasonably happy with what we\u2019ve done so far, but as with all new regulations, the question will be: is the target we\u2019ve set good enough?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we get testing, I\u2019m sure we\u2019re going to see different concepts, and if we\u2019ve missed something, we need to get on it very quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be able to implement certain things quickly, you\u2019ve got to work as a team and have clarity on communication. These are things we\u2019ve been doing the last couple of years, and that\u2019s going to be tested even more, but I feel like we\u2019re prepared.\u201d <\/p>\n
Komatsu said he expects the competitive landscape to change quickly and dramatically through the year. The team that adapts best could win big.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s going to be a very dynamic season,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat you see in race 1 and race 2 I expect will be totally different when we come to the final races of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone knows we\u2019re still the smallest team \u2026 for us the challenge is bigger.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus on what we\u2019ve got, what we\u2019re good at, recognise our weaknesses but play to our strengths and continue learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got to learn pretty fast with these new regulations. There will be surprises once everyone is up and running, for sure, and it\u2019s going to be about sticking together, reacting and adapting as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Incredible scenes on Day 6 Dakar Rally | 01:18<\/p>\n
The challenge for the drivers will also be significant under the new rules.<\/p>\n
Esteban Ocon, who joined from the Alpine team last season, said drivers will have to relearn how to drive in Formula 1 given the particular demands of the new power unit\u2019s hybrid components.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest change is from the engine side, and that\u2019s going to be the key for us to be prepared,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an exciting challenge, and it\u2019s a different way of driving compared to before.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we can forget everything that we\u2019ve learned since go-karts on how to go fast, but it will be interesting to learn a new driving style and hopefully find speed with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is definitely the biggest rule change I\u2019ve ever faced.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to forget everything that has happened before. We need to learn everything new again.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the experience helps to adapt quickly, but we need to adapt everything. All of our senses, how we feel, we\u2019ll need to think a lot more while driving about what to do, to go quicker. It\u2019s exciting, and it\u2019s going to be interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliver Bearman, who outqualified and outscored Ocon in his rookie season last year, said it was difficult for him to predict how his year would play out given the rules shake-up.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year was a big step for me, but I think even from the beginning we knew that if we put the car in the right window, we were still going to be able to fight for points, and we had an idea of the competitiveness of the car,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat lack of knowledge heading into 2026 is good and bad, as on one side I feel like we can really have an impact straight away, but also it\u2019s horrible not knowing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to skip forward six months to see where we are, but I\u2019m going to be giving it everything to make sure that where we are is as high up as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Haas is the first team to reveal digital renders of its actual 2026 car, which features high-profile Toyota…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":424705,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[223196,2095,223188,14212,1724,64,223185,63,689,223182,84696,223195,12266,223189,223205,118848,21743,223202,9239,72812,220202,223183,22304,223193,817,223192,223190,223194,223176,813,816,75747,117220,223198,223208,223178,941,223201,223180,37234,223181,188803,223206,223197,825,8440,223200,223179,223187,2041,2067,677,5242,223184,223186,18923,223177,223209,30966,223207,220220,3752,38794,28114,192123,142608,223199,85,188814,223191,41547,223203,223204,2614,16198,5077],"class_list":["post-424704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-aero-development","tag-america","tag-american-marque","tag-arvid-lindblad","tag-asia","tag-au","tag-aussie-jack-doohan","tag-australia","tag-australia-and-new-zealand","tag-auto-manufacturers","tag-combustion-engine","tag-design-choices","tag-detroit","tag-development-process","tag-dr-ing-h-c-f-porsche-ag","tag-driver-program","tag-driving-style","tag-dynamic-season","tag-eastern-asia","tag-energy-management","tag-engine-cover","tag-engine-side","tag-esteban-ocon","tag-experience-helps","tag-f1","tag-famous-german-brand","tag-first-ever-power-unit","tag-ford-staff","tag-formal-works","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-front-wing","tag-gene-haas","tag-generic-show-cars","tag-hybrid-components","tag-italian-monocoque-manufacturer","tag-japan","tag-japanese-drivers","tag-japanese-giant","tag-japanese-marque","tag-japanese-series","tag-junior-driver-program","tag-key-performance-differentiator","tag-knowledge-heading","tag-max-verstappen","tag-michigan","tag-minnow-aims","tag-motorsport-knowledge-bank","tag-natural-counterpart","tag-north-america","tag-northern-america","tag-oceania","tag-oliver-bearman","tag-partnership-deal","tag-performance-parts","tag-power-unit","tag-power-unit-prototype","tag-powertrain-program","tag-ralf-schumacher","tag-reserve-driver-line-up","tag-ricciardo-amp-max","tag-rookie-season","tag-rule-change","tag-rule-set","tag-rules-shake-up","tag-ryo-hirakawa","tag-season-launches","tag-sports","tag-sports-car-racer","tag-team-aims","tag-team-owner","tag-technical-partnership","tag-title-partnership","tag-united-states-of-america","tag-works-team","tag-yuki-tsunoda"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=424704"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/424704\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/424705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=424704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=424704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=424704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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