Last year, Toyota (kind of) jumped back into Formula 1 when it signed an unusual technical partnership with the Haas F1 team. That deal is expanding into a title sponsorship for 2026—one that will see the team rebranded Toyota Gazoo Racing Haas F1.
The deal is similar in concept to an arrangement that Alfa Romeo had with Sauber before Audi acquired the team. That deal saw the Stellantis brand serve as the sponsor of the Ferrari-powered constructor without actually creating any further tie-up with the automaker itself. Toyota’s partnership seems to be deeper, particularly because the brand has its own stable of drivers that could eventually run in the Haas entry, but it shares the same basic structure.
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Although Toyota’s name is back on a Formula 1 constructor’s side pods, the brand itself is still not committing to re-entering the sport. The Haas F1 cars will continue with Ferrari power next year just as they have since the team entered the sport in 2016. Ollie Bearman, a Ferrari junior program driver, is also signed to continue with the team next year.
Even if it’s not returning to the sport as a constructor just yet, Toyota’s increased involvement is a promising step for the series. The brand joins Honda, General Motors, Audi, and Ford in scaling up at least some involvement in the sport for 2026. Audi and GM are debuting new factory teams, while Honda is officially returning to the sport as an engine constructor and Ford is partnering with Red Bull on its powertrain program.
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