So it’s finally happening. Haas F1 Team will morph into Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2026, and Formula 1 will welcome back the Japanese auto giant for its second foray into the sport.
The writing’s been on the wall for a while. Haas may have scored a lucky haul of points in China, but don’t be fooled—that result was the exception, not the rule. Gene Haas has had enough. After years of hanging around the midfield (or worse), and watching his Ferrari-customer team drift with no real trajectory, he’s done. Then that Toyota Gazoo Racing decal on the car signalled the first step.
This is a team that’s flirted with progress but never truly moved forward. It survived on scraps, clung to Ferrari partnerships, and hoped a miracle would drag it up the grid. But miracles don’t come cheap in Formula 1. Gene Haas knows that now. And so, he’s stepping back.
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Enter Toyota. Their partnership with Haas, announced last year, was clearly just a toe in the water. Now they’re ready to dive. Toyota Gazoo Racing has pedigree - real pedigree. WEC domination, WRC wins, Dakar success. They’ve done it all. And now, they want Formula 1 again.
Let’s not forget: the last time Toyota came to F1, they blew a mountain of cash. Two teams. Dozens of drivers. Some estimate around $3-billion was spent over eight F1 seasons. No wins.
Toyota's first foray into Formula 1 was an expensive failure
History shows that Toyota entered Formula 1 in 2002, investing heavily to establish a competitive team. Despite their efforts, success was limited during their eight-season tenure. The team's debut season saw drivers Mika Salo and Allan McNish secure only two points, finishing 10th in the Constructors' Championship.
In 2005, Toyota achieved their best performance, finishing 4th overall, with drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher earning multiple podiums and the team's first pole position at the U.S. Grand Prix. However, consistent victories eluded them, and Toyota withdrew from F1 after the 2009 season.
But this time around, a decade and a half later, it seems serious. They’ve got experience, structure, and most importantly, a clear runway to the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Komatsu at the helm is key. He’s no TV star. He’s a racer. The team instantly improved when he took over from Guenther Steiner. Less drama, more results. That change set the tone—and probably helped convince Toyota this was a viable project.
Kobayashi brings a wealth of unique experience as the new Toyota F1 Sporting Director
What’s more, Toyota now has an entire pool of talent in-house, including Kamui Kobayashi who will be the Sporting Director and head of the driver development programme for the team, according to sources in Japan. A Helmut Marko-type role with Red Bull is what the former F1 driver will play for the Gazoo effort.
During Toyota’s eight-season stint in Formula 1 from 2002 to 2009, a total of ten drivers raced for the team. Mika Salo and Allan McNish led the line-up in their debut year, followed by Cristiano da Matta and Olivier Panis across 2003 and 2004. Ricardo Zonta also stepped in for a race in 2004.
Jarno Trulli became a mainstay from late 2004 through to 2009, joined by Ralf Schumacher between 2005 and 2007. Franck Montagny made a one-off appearance in 2005, while Timo Glock raced in 2008 and 2009. Kamui Kobayashi closed out Toyota’s final F1 chapter with two starts in 2009.
The first Toyota F1 car of their new era, will be designated GH-01. GH, for Gene Haas. A parting nod to the man who kept this operation alive through some very lean years. And while the Haas name will vanish from the constructors’ standings, the logo will remain—on the nose of the Toyota F1 car, a quiet tribute to the beginning of it all.
It’s the end of an era. But more importantly, it’s the start of something bigger. Toyota’s back. And this time, they’re hopefully doing it the right way.
This has been our take on April Fools' day... Not to be taken seriously...
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