Despite the alliance with Haas, Toyota does not plan to develop its own engine: "Don't say 'Toyota is finally coming back to F1'!"

Fifteen years later, Toyota is back in Formula 1 ! Well… almost. At least that’s what Toyota doesn’t want people to say. Indeed, the Japanese manufacturer assures that the partnership with Haas remains purely technical, and does not mean the slightest hint of a complete return to the premier category. Far from it!

At a press conference held after the announcement of the Haas-Toyota alliance, the Japanese brand's management wanted to ensure that there would be no confusion about the return of the Toyota name to F1. "To the media: make sure tomorrow's headlines are not: 'Toyota is finally back in F1'. Instead, we would like to see headlines and articles that inspire Japanese children to dream of the possibility that they too could one day drive the fastest cars in the world.", Akio Toyoda said:, CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Toyota wants to create a pyramid towards F1

For the man nicknamed "Morizo" when he competes in motorsport events, the partnership with Haas will allow Japanese drivers and engineers of all ages to have the prospect of joining Formula 1 via Toyota, the brand already being involved in several sports programs (WEC, WRC, Super Formula…). For Akio Toyoda, it is also a little personal revenge, fifteen years after having abruptly decided to end Toyota's F1 program in 2009.

“There’s something I feel when I talk to professional drivers: everyone wants to drive the fastest cars in the world. I think drivers are like that. But I was the one who [decided to] leave F1. So I think the drivers were never able to talk about it frankly in front of me. It was like there was always an inhibiting atmosphere.”, confides the 68-year-old Japanese leader.

"In January of this year, I said in front of everyone that I had finally become an ordinary old man who loves cars again. I think that, somewhere deep in his heart, this ordinary old man who loves cars, Akio Toyoda, has always regretted having hindered - by retiring from F1 - the path of young Japanese people to the fastest cars in the world., he adds. That said, while the media are watching my every step, I dare add that I still believe that my decision, as president of Toyota, to retire from F1 was not a bad one.

No engine in sight

Akio Toyoda believes that Toyota's association with Haas will inspire Japanese children and hopes to see, one day, a driver climb all the ranks with TGR all the way to Formula 1. Moreover, the director of Toyota Gazoo Racing, Tomoya Takahashi, echoed the words of his president by affirming in turn that the involvement of the Japanese manufacturer is purely technical (and financial?), with a sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise. "Some might conclude that Toyota is back in F1, but that is not the case. The Haas carries the Toyota Gazoo Racing logo. We and Haas have agreed a technical partnership regarding the training of young drivers and others and the development of Haas vehicles."

Toyota has no plans to develop its own engine by 2028, when the partnership between Haas and Classic Ferrari for sale ends. The idea was not even mentioned at the press conference.

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