Toyota back in F1 with Haas partnership after 15 year absence
The link-up with Haas sees Toyota return to Formula 1 after 15 years away, following their exit from the sport in November 2009 having failed to win a race in eight seasons
by Daniel Moxon · The MirrorToyota is back in Formula 1 after a 15-year absence.
The Japanese giant has linked up with American minnows Haas through its motorsport division, Toyota Gazoo Racing. The partnership, which begins at next weekend's United States Grand Prix, marks the carmaker's first involvement in F1 since it walked away from the sport in 2009.
Toyota built a works team from scratch and entered the championship in 2002. But despite having one of the biggest budgets on the F1 grid, the Cologne-based outfit never won a race and managed only 13 podiums in eight seasons.
In 2009, after the parent company suffered a financial loss, it immediately pulled out of the sport. Toyota Gazoo Racing has enjoyed considerable success in other series, though, including seven World Rally Championship titles and six endurance series wins, including five overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
And now it is back involved in F1 as the 'official technical partner' of the Haas squad. Toyota Gazoo Racing branding will feature on the Haas cars from the Austin race while "both parties will share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources".
Team principal Ayao Komatsu said: "To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise - it is simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides.
"The ability to tap into the resources and knowledge base available at Toyota Gazoo Racing, while benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental in our own development and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1. In return, we offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilize and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities.
"I am naturally pleased that we have had the support of the likes of Formula 1 and our long-term partner, Scuderia Ferrari - who we announced our further continuation with earlier in the season, in the formation of this new technical partnership - designed to achieve continued success in our Formula 1 endeavours."
Haas said a multi-year deal has been signed between the two parties. And Gazoo Racing president Tomoya Takahashi said his company "desires to contribute to motorsports and the automotive industry".
He added: "By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsports, we aim to cultivate drivers, engineers, and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing."
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