Toyota last appeared on the Formula 1 grid in 2009, with their eight-year run in the sport coming to a close at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Toyota finished fifth in the 2009 Constructors’ Championship but with the Toyota F1 team’s parent company suffering severe financial losses that calendar year, the decision was made to pull out of the sport in November of 2009.
Could Toyota return to the F1 grid?
According to a new report, Toyota could be coming back to F1
Photo by Michael Cole/Corbis via Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The eight-year run for Toyota never produced a victory.
But could the Japanese manufacturer be looking at a return to the sport? That is the report coming out of Hungary ahead of next weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix. According to F1 journalist Sándor Mészáros — who is a must-follow all year long and not just around this time of the schedule — Toyota is looking at a possible return to the F1 grid.
Furthermore, according to Mészáros’ reporting the manufacturer is exploring a potential relationship with Haas. The lone American team on the grid is currently a Ferrari customer team, on a deal that reportedly runs through the 2028 campaign and is set to run into the nexts set of regulations, which arrive in 2026. However, a deal between Toyota and Haas could begin on the branding/sponsorship side, followed by what Mészáros describes as potential “technological” cooperation between Haas and Toyota.
Whether Toyota would start building power units, and supply Haas in the future, remains unknown.
Haas owner Gene Haas, in announcing the team’s recent decision to sign young phenom Oliver Bearman to a full-time spot starting next year, noted that the move was the latest signal that the team is looking to invest in talent on-track, and off:
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to give Oliver Bearman this opportunity to drive full-time in Formula 1 – he’s undoubtedly an exciting rookie prospect, not just based on what he showed in Saudi Arabia but also through his time developing his relationship with our team,” said Haas in the team’s announcement. “I’m personally excited to see how he grows as a driver, and we look forward to seeing him deliver for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team next season and beyond. This is an exciting time for the team. Oliver’s signing shows we continue to invest in talent – both on and off-track – as we continue to compete at the highest level.”
Could a relationship with Toyota be their next off-track move?
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