It’s not the best year for America in F1. Andretti could’ve been the country’s pride in F1 with their fellow American team Haas struggling since its inception. But the legacy motorsport team’s rejection dampened the nation’s joy. Logan Sargeant, the only current American racer, is also expected to be axed from Williams at the end of 2024. However, Haas’ latest upgrade package secured them a double-points finish in the last two races, outscoring their entire 2023 season. After the British GP, there’s another massive development in the Gene Haas-owned team and it’s about a major investment by Toyota.

Japan’s two F1 stars, Honda and Toyota, currently aren’t actively involved in the sport. While Toyota never returned to the pinnacle of motorsport after becoming F1’s most expensive failure from 2002 to 2009, Honda has a richer history, having won 6 championships as an engine manufacturer. Red Bull‘s last 3 championships can also be attributed to Honda’s mighty engine, which they will use till the end of 2025. In 2026, under the new regulations, Honda will then become Aston Martin’s official engine partner.

As per Formula.hu, Toyota is now eyeing to one-up their compatriot by entering F1 with a sponsorship deal with Haas. The report also states that the Japanese manufacturer could eventually take over the American team entirely. The initial deal will be structured similarly to how Alfa Romeo took on as Sauber’s title sponsors in 2018, and then completely rebranded themselves to Alfa Romeo.

Toyota’s move is also genius in another way. After Andretti’s rejection as F1’s 11th team, the FIA urged the Americans to enter via the acquisition of another team. This is exactly what Audi is set to do with Sauber, acquiring 100% of the team in 2026. Toyota is learning from this and might even get their hands dirty in F1 before Andretti submits another proposal for its entry.

Interestingly, Andretti’s F1 model for their entry proposal was built and tested in Toyota’s wind tunnel in Cologne. If the Japanese manufacturers indeed return to F1, Haas will be the third team that they aid in two years.

Toyota’s verdict on F1 return amid deepening McLaren partnership in 2023

McLaren currently has their own wind tunnel facility in Woking. But for 13 years before that, they were using Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe’s Cologne facility, which Andretti also used in 2023. Despite the McLaren-Toyota partnership ending in 2023, their relationship only deepened. The Woking outfit signed Toyota factory driver Ryo Hirakawa as their reserve driver for 2024.

When Autosport questioned Toyota’s advisor Kazuki Nakajima if this move hinted at the Japanese manufacturer’s first step to an F1 comeback, “For now, it’s clearly no,” he replied. “This deal is really purely focusing on a driver, supporting a driver’s dream. At the moment, it really has nothing to do with that.” However, Nakajima didn’t close the doors for a future return to F1. “For the future, we never know,” he concluded.

Indeed, they might not have known how this Haas prospect would emerge. But now that it has, the American team’s recent rise in performance can heal Toyota’s wounds from their early 2000s failure. Moreover, Haas signing rookie Oliver Bearman is also a great indicator of their promising future. Thought recent rumors have hinted at Gene Haas wanting to sell his team, will Toyota finally strike gold this time around?