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12/04 06:54 CST Toyota deepens connections in F1 by sponsoring Haas team in 2026
Toyota deepens connections in F1 by sponsoring Haas team in 2026
By STEPHEN WADE
AP Sports Writer
TOKYO (AP) --- Toyota is increasing its presence in Formula 1 after taking over
the title sponsorship of the Haas team on Thursday.
It's another high-profile commitment to F1 by a major automaker as the General
Motors-backed Cadillac team prepares to make its debut next year.
The team's new name in 2026 will be TGR Haas F1 Team. The TGR stands for Toyota
Gazoo Racing, which is the racing division of the Toyota Motor Corporation.
Taking over the title sponsorship means Toyota is more involved in F1 than at
any time since it pulled its team out after the 2009 season. Since then, its
circuit racing efforts have largely focused on sportscar events, including five
straight wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2018-22.
Haas and Toyota signed a technical partnership a year ago for research,
engineering and driver development and the Haas car has carried some Toyota
branding since. Toyota-linked Japanese drivers have taken part in tests using
older Haas cars.
Haas continues to use Ferrari engines next year under a deal running through
2028, as it has done each year it's raced in F1. Haas has long worked closely
with Ferrari and said last year Ferrari was consulted over the founding of its
initial Toyota partnership.
Toyota ran its own team in F1 from 2002-09 but failed to win a race despite
spending heavily. It eventually withdrew from the series while the parent
company was under financial pressure.
"It's naturally a privilege to deepen our relationship with TGR through this
new title partnership agreement," Ayao Komatsu, team principal of Haas, said in
a team statement, adding that the existing technical partnership has already
"benefited us greatly."
Akio Toyoda, the chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation, said: "Throughout
our challenges in the 2025 season I witnessed young TGR drivers and engineers
begin to believe in their own potential and set their sights on even greater
dreams. Seeing this transformation moved me deeply. And today I can say this
with confidence --- Toyota has begun to move. Really move."
Toyoda has said previously he had second thoughts about pulling Toyota out of
F1. He said part of his regret was not giving young drivers a better chance to
compete in F1.
The length of the sponsorship agreement wasn't immediately clear and the
statement mentioned only 2026.
Haas has been in F1 since 2016 and is eighth in the constructors' standings
this season, which included Oliver Bearman placing fourth in Mexico. That was
Haas' best race result since 2018 even though he fell short of achieving the
team's first podium finish.
The final race of 2025 is on Sunday in Abu Dhabi and three drivers are in
contention for the world championship.
Lando Norris of McLaren leads by 12 points over Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren is 16 points behind. Norris and Piastri are trying for
their first season titles, Verstappen is after his fifth straight.
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AP Sports Writer James Ellingworth in Duesseldorf, Germany, contributed.
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
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