Toyota “gradually moving” towards full-scale F1 return:

— Toyota is “gradually moving” towards a full-scale return to Formula 1 following its 2024 technical partnership with Haas, as confirmed by Masaya Kaji, director of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s motorsport division.

“We are, of course, studying the technologies for 2026 and even current technologies,” said Kaji. “I feel we’re gradually moving in that direction.”

— The Haas-Toyota alliance launched in late 2024, with Toyota branding appearing on Haas cars and a new F1 simulator being developed at Haas’s Banbury base. Initially, Toyota stated there was “no plan” to build engines or return as a works team, but its position appears to be evolving.

— Despite the shift, Kaji emphasized that a full-scale F1 return remains a long-term consideration, potentially well beyond 2030:

“We’re not at a stage where we would redirect all our resources there [to a full F1 return]. What happens after 2030 is still uncertain. We’re working on various new technologies, so whether our vector aligns with F1 remains to be seen.”

— Kaji acknowledged the potential benefits of re-entering F1 with a dedicated team, including the ability to choose their own drivers:

“If we had our own team, we could choose which drivers to put in the car. In that sense, it would indeed bring us closer to putting drivers in F1.”

— However, the challenge lies in evaluating the financial and personnel requirements for such a significant commitment:

“But realistically, we have to evaluate how much money and how many staff members would be required to make that happen,” Kaji added.

#toyotaf1

VIA: [motorsport]