Toyota insists “no plan” for F1 engine or works team return

Toyota says an official Formula 1 return – either with an engine or its own team – is not on its radar, despite agreeing a tie-up with Haas.

The Japanese manufacturer announced on Friday that it has agreed to a long-term technical partnership with Haas, which will include the two organisations working together on a test programme, aerodynamic development and the manufacturing of parts.

This is Toyota’s first official foray back into F1 since it quit at the end of the 2009 season off the back of poor results on track and the global financial crisis.

Toyota’s determination to train drivers and personnel has inevitably prompted talk that this could be a toe-in-the-water exercise ahead of a bigger return to competitive action down the road.

One option could be, for example, for Toyota to work on its own turbo hybrid engine to join F1 as a supplier from 2028 or 2029.

However, chiefs at Toyota are clear that the deal with Haas is all it is thinking of right now – as it says the priority is on using the knowledge gained through the deal to help enhance its road car development.

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s general manager of motorsport engineering Masaya Kaji, said that there were no other thoughts within the organisation about expanding its F1 involvement.

“We have no plan to enter power unit supply, at this moment,” he said.

When asked by Motorsport.com if the new F1 work could spark a competitive interest in racing once again though, Kaji replied: “Actually, we have no plan to have a team in F1. At this moment, we have the best choice and best option to collaborate with Haas.”

Evolving partnership

While the scope of the deal with Haas has been agreed for now, there remain ways in which it could expand in the future.

Team principal Ayao Komatsu said that the early priority was nailing down those areas where Toyota could help make the biggest difference.

“This is not a short-term thing,” he explained. “The certain projects we picked to start off is because it’s so obvious what areas we are lacking, and what areas we haven’t got the capability – and what areas TGR has already got capability.

Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing partnership

Photo by: Motorsport.com Japan

“We obviously are picking up the project that has the biggest impact and the need straight…