The rumor has been circulating for several months without the information seeming to be confirmed, but it is now official: Haas F1 has signed a “mutual benefit” technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the competition structure of the Japanese manufacturer.
Gazoo Racing has notably won world titles in WRC and WEC, as well as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Japanese firm now becomes an “Official Technical Partner” of Haas for several years, since the contract does not have a specific expiration date.
The two companies will share knowledge and resources. It is specified that Toyota will offer technical design and manufacturing services to Haas, while the American structure will offer its technical expertise and commercial benefits to its new ally.
Toyota had competed in Formula 1 from 2002 to 2009 before abruptly leaving the premier category during the crisis of the late 2000s. It is therefore a return to the premier category after 15 years of absence that the brand is making, even if not with his own team at the moment.
A presence from the US Grand Prix
The Toyota Gazoo Racing logos will appear in Austin, from October 18 to 20, on the bodies of the Haas VF-24s of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, and this will be the case next year for Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. Haas confirms that its other partner, Ferrari, has validated this decision.
“I am very happy that Haas F1 and Toyota Gazoo Racing have entered into this technical partnership” said Ayao Komatsu, director of the American team, without specifying what will happen to the partnership with Dallara, the current manufacturer of Haas single-seaters.
“Having a global leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate its own technical and engineering expertise, is simply a partnership that has clear benefits for both parts.”
“The ability to leverage the resources and knowledge base of Toyota Gazoo Racing, while benefiting from its technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental to our own development and our clear desire to increase our competitiveness in Formula 1. In return , we are providing Toyota Gazoo Racing with a platform that will enable them to fully utilize and advance their in-house engineering capabilities.”
“I am naturally pleased that we have received the support of Formula 1 and our long-standing partner, Scuderia Ferrari, with whom we announced our extension earlier in the season, in the formation of this new technical partnership, designed to achieve continued success in Formula 1.”
“Together with Gene Haas, we would like to particularly thank Stefano Domenicali (CEO of Formula 1) and Fred Vasseur (Team Principal of Ferrari), and at Toyota, I would like to thank Akio Toyoda (President of Toyota Motor Corporation), Tomoya Takahashi ( President of GAZOO Racing Company) and Masaya Kaji (Project Manager of GAZOO Racing Company).”
“Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is looking forward to the results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and realize our shared ambitions.”
On the Toyota side, the president of Gazoo Racing, Tomoya Takahashi, welcomed this return to the premier category. The Japanese wants to make it a technical springboard, but also for the staff and the drivers, while Ritomo Miyata is racing this year in F2 under the colors of Toyota Gazoo.
“We are pleased to announce that Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have reached a basic agreement to begin a technical partnership such as vehicle development” Takahashi said.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Gene Haas, Mr. Ayao Komatsu, Mr. Stefano Domenicali (CEO – Formula 1), Mr. Fred Vasseur (Team Principal – Scuderia Ferrari), as well as all our current partners of the team for their exceptional cooperation and understanding during this collaboration.”
“By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsport, we aim to train drivers, engineers and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, and we aim to contribute to motorsport and the automobile industry.”
