Haas Announces Toyota Partnership As Japan's Automaker Returns To F1

LONDON, Oct 11 (Bernama-PA Media/dpa) -- The Haas FI Team has announced a new multi-year technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing as the team bid to increase their competitiveness in Formula One.

The US team, which made its F1 debut in 2016, say the partnership with the motorsport arm of Toyota Motor Corporation will bring design, technical and manufacturing services, reported PA Media.

It marks a return to the sport for the Japanese motor giant for the first time since 2009, when Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock guided the Toyota team to fifth in the constructors’ standings.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu is excited by the deal and believes the collaboration will be hugely beneficial.

“The ability to tap into the resources and knowledge base available at Toyota Gazoo Racing, while benefitting from their technical and manufacturing processes, will be instrumental in our own development and our clear desire to further increase our competitiveness in Formula 1,” Komatsu said.

“Everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 team is looking forward to the collaborative results of this new relationship, we can’t wait to get started and fulfil our combined ambitions.”

Haas, whose long-standing partnership with Scuderia Ferrari is set to continue, are seventh in this season’s constructors’ standings ahead of their home race at the United States Grand Prix next weekend.

Toyota Gazoo Racing currently competes in the World Rally Championship and World Endurance Championship.

-- BERNAMA-PA Media/dpa