In a surprising move that has ignited speculation about a potential full-scale return to Formula 1, Toyota has entered into a technical partnership with Haas. The Japanese automotive giant will provide design, manufacturing support, and engineering expertise to enhance the performance of the American F1 team. While the collaboration marks a significant development, Toyota’s chairman, Akio Toyoda, insists it is not an indication of the company’s return to the sport.
Toyoda was quick to address the media’s inevitable reaction, cautioning, “Please make sure that tomorrow’s headlines don’t read: ‘Toyota Finally Returns to F1.’” Instead, he urged the focus to remain on inspiring young Japanese drivers to dream of competing at the highest levels of motorsport. However, Toyoda’s efforts to downplay the collaboration didn’t prevent headlines from framing the deal as the first step toward Toyota’s potential F1 comeback.
The announcement has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation that the collaboration might evolve, especially with the new 2026 F1 regulation changes on the horizon. While Toyota continues to insist that a full-scale return, including a power unit project, is not in the cards, the possibility remains open for the future.
Toyoda elaborated on the reasoning behind the partnership, emphasizing the company’s desire to inspire the next generation of Japanese talent. He shared, “There’s something I sense when talking to professional racing drivers. It’s that everyone wants to drive the world’s fastest cars. I think that’s the way drivers are.”
Reflecting on Toyota’s exit from Formula 1 in 2009, Toyoda admitted his lingering regret: “I’m the person who quit F1. So I think that drivers were never able to frankly talk about it in front of me. It was like there was always this inhibiting atmosphere in our pit.”
Toyoda revealed his personal connection to the decision: “In January this year, I said in front of everyone that I had finally gotten back to being an ordinary older guy who loves cars. Somewhere deep in his heart, that ordinary car-loving guy, Akio Toyoda, had always regretted blocking – by pulling out of F1 – Japanese youths’ path toward driving the world’s fastest cars.” Despite this, Toyoda maintains that his decision to withdraw Toyota from F1 over a decade ago was the correct one, given the circumstances.
Toyota’s history in Formula 1 saw the manufacturer compete as a works team from 2002 to 2009. Despite significant investments and high expectations, the team struggled to secure a race win, achieving three pole positions, three fastest laps, and 13 podiums over its tenure. They operated out of a state-of-the-art facility in Cologne, Germany, which later became an asset for McLaren until the British team opened its own wind tunnel last year.
While Toyota insists that their collaboration with Haas is not an F1 comeback, the involvement raises questions about the manufacturer’s long-term intentions. As the sport gears up for regulatory changes in 2026, many wonder if Toyota’s toe-dip into technical collaboration might soon transform into a full-fledged dive back into the world of Formula 1.
