More preview in Formula 1 since 2009, Toyota is making a partial return to the premier class with immediate effect, via its motorsport branch of Toyota Gazoo Racing. Partial, because the Japanese brand has in fact joined forces with an existing team, Haas, which runs on an engine Ferrari, which makes the technical alliance rather incongruous. It is indeed a question of a “new dynamic collaborative relationship” between the two entities, around an official technical partnership.
In this context of support for Ferrari until 2028, the contract having been renewed last July, it is difficult to understand what will really be hidden behind this partnership. In the press release, we learn that “Both parties will share expertise and knowledge, as well as resources, with Toyota Gazoo Racing providing design, technical and manufacturing services, while MoneyGram Haas F1 Team will offer technical expertise and commercial benefits in return.”
Toyota, technical or commercial partnership?
Present in F1 between 2002 and 2009 under the name Toyota F1 Team, the Japanese brand had never done better than 4th in the Constructors' World Championship (in 2005 with Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher). On the other hand, it has shone in recent years in other global categories, from Rally WRC (6 Constructors titles) at theEndurance en WEC (5 titles since 2018), with several world champion titles to his name and prestigious victories in the 24 hours of Le Mans (5)
“We are pleased to announce that Haas and Toyota Gazoo Racing have entered into a basic agreement to enter into a technical partnership such as the development of the Haas vehicle. By competing alongside MoneyGram Haas F1 Team at the pinnacle of motorsport, we aim to develop drivers, engineers and mechanics while strengthening the capabilities of both entities, and we aim to contribute to motorsport and the automotive industry.”, said Tomoya Takahashi, president of Gazoo Racing Company, whose brand will appear on the bodywork of the VF-20s from the United States Grand Prix (October 24) Nico Hulkenberg et Kevin Magnussen.
Haas' Japanese team principal, Ayao Komatsu, also confirmed his satisfaction with the idea of this alliance. “Having a global leader in the automotive industry support our organisation and work alongside us, whilst seeking to develop and accelerate its own technical and engineering expertise, is simply a partnership that offers clear benefits to both parties. The ability to tap into Toyota’s resources and knowledge base whilst benefiting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental to our own development and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1. In return, we are providing a platform for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to fully utilise and advance its in-house engineering capabilities.”
Is this a way for Toyota to study from the inside the feasibility of a bid or a takeover of a team in the future? At a time when the great rival Honda is winning titles with Red Bull and has made a long-term commitment by becoming the exclusive engine supplier ofAston Martin, that could make sense. Often rightly described as the championship's underdog in recent years, Haas has been looking for several months to strengthen itself and gain knowledge, which is why it has moved to Maranello to its engine partner Ferrari, and why it will try to take advantage of Toyota's know-how. Between a real technical partnership or a simple commercial lease à la Sauber-Alfa Romeo of recent years, the future will tell what it is really about.
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
12/10/2024 at 11:33 a.m.
A way for Toyota to be present in F1 at a lower cost ... unlike Audi and, to a lesser extent, Ford! With the generally ultra-reliable image of modern F1, it remains to be seen how Toyota will exploit this presence in F1 with the general public ... unless this presence is primarily intended to grow its population of engineers in contact with the certainly the most technological discipline in motorsport
vincent moyet
11/10/2024 at 12:41 a.m.
Toyota has a reputation for reliability, and that makes me think that one of the big problems with current F1 is the excessive reliability of the cars. It removes a lot of the "technical" uncertainty that existed 15 or 20 years ago and could revive the suspense of a championship. It is a perverse effect of the limitation of the number of components per season, and of telemetry which allows a team to modify engine parameters remotely to avoid breakage. If this regulation allows manufacturers to preserve their image of reliability with the general public, it removes a good part of the uncertainty of the sport. F1 has become a technological parade but without suspense, what is the interest?