GAZOO Racing reverts to its original name without the Toyota prefix

Toyota Motor Corporation announced that its motorsport operations will cease using the name TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Starting in 2026, the teams will revert to being called GAZOO Racing, the original name used between 2007-2015 before the unification. The center in Germany will regain the name TOYOTA Racing, which identified the manufacturer's programs in Formula 1 and endurance racing between the 90s and 2009.

The change will be completed gradually by January 2027. Toyota explained that it seeks to "return to foundational principles" and recover the philosophy of agile teams that develop technology under extreme conditions, separate from long-term engineering work.

History of the GAZOO Racing Name

GAZOO Racing was born in 2007 when Akio Toyoda, then executive vice president, competed in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Toyota Motor Corporation did not authorize the use of the company name because they considered the participation an unofficial activity. The team raced as Team GAZOO and Toyoda used the pseudonym "Morizo" because his intention to compete did not have internal backing.

Toyoda described that experience as "humiliating." European competitors were testing development prototypes during the race. Toyota finished the test but did not have sports cars in its catalog nor cars in development for that type of racing. Hiromu Naruse, Toyota's master driver and Toyoda's mentor, shared that frustration when other manufacturers overtook them on the track.

That humiliation drove the development of the Lexus LFA, Toyota's first genuine in-house developed sports car in 20 years. The project faced internal resistance for being considered unprofitable. Toyota only authorized limited production of 500 units. Naruse died in an accident near the Nürburgring shortly before the LFA's launch in 2010, just after approving the final car.

Toyoda continued developing sports cars. The 86 was revived in 2012 (in collaboration with Subaru) and the GR Supra in 2019 (with BMW). But Toyota did not manage to create a completely internal sports car until the GR Yaris in 2020, a direct derivative of the WRC program.

Photo By TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

The 2015 Unification

In April 2015, Toyota consolidated all racing operations under a single name. TOYOTA Racing (engineering and factory programs), LEXUS Racing (GT), and GAZOO Racing (development teams) were unified as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. It was the moment when activities that could not use "TOYOTA" in 2007 finally carried the company name.

That centralization gave global scale and massive resources. But Toyota now acknowledges that the structure diluted the original spirit of GAZOO Racing: small teams that learn by modifying cars on the track, not mega-structures with long processes.

What was TOYOTA Racing

TOYOTA Racing identified the manufacturer's official programs focused on pure engineering during the 90s and 2000s. The nerve center was Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany.

In the 90s, Toyota competed in the WRC under that structure. They developed the Celica GT-Four (ST165, ST185, ST205) and the Corolla WRC. Toyota Team Europe operated from that base, which was later consolidated as TMG in Cologne. Toyota won drivers' and constructors' world titles in the WRC during that decade.

Photo By TOYOTA GAZOO Racing

In endurance racing, Toyota developed the GT-One (TS020) in the late 90s, a prototype that competed at Le Mans. Although they didn't win, they established an engineering base for LMP prototypes that they continued developing later.

The most visible TOYOTA Racing program was in Formula 1 between 2002-2009. Toyota developed eight consecutive single-seaters (TF102 to TF109) as a full constructor: their own chassis, their own engines. They achieved poles and podiums but never won races. The program closed at the end of 2009 without titles after massive investment.

The Cologne infrastructure remained operational after closing the F1 program, working on endurance prototypes and powertrain development. Between 2010-2014, TOYOTA Racing ceased to be publicly visible but the center continued long-term projects.

In 2015 that structure was absorbed under TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. Now it is being separated again with its original name: TOYOTA Racing as a platform specialized in engines, aerodynamics, and alternative fuels.

Results that Justify the Change

The restructuring happens at the peak of Toyota's sporting success. They have won five consecutive constructors' titles in WRC (2021-2025) since returning to the championship in 2017, surpassing 100 total victories in the series' history in 2025, an absolute record. That program drove the development of the GR Yaris, the first completely internal Toyota sports car capable of winning since the 90s. In endurance racing, they achieved six consecutive constructors' crowns in WEC (2019-2024), seven in total, with the GR010 HYBRID. In world rally-raid, they won the first three championships since the series' creation in 2022, including victories at Dakar 2022 and 2023 with Nasser Al-Attiyah (factory structure) and 2025 with Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing, customer team). In NASCAR, they passed 200 victories in the Cup Series and 600 combined in the three national series, although the last drivers' title was Kyle Busch's in 2019. Denny Hamlin reached the Championship 4 in 2025 with 60+ wins for Toyota. In NHRA, Toyota captured its first Manufacturers Cup in 2024 with 16 victories in 20 events, accumulating 200+ wins since 2002, but they announced their withdrawal from professional drag racing after closing the 2025 season, ending two decades.

What Changes in the Operation

GAZOO Racing will manage all factory teams: WRC, WEC, rally-raid. It will also coordinate customer programs where private teams compete with Toyota vehicles in various categories.

TOYOTA Racing, from Cologne, will specialize in long-term technological development. It does not decide for the teams but provides research in engines, aerodynamics, alternative fuels that are later implemented in different championships.

TGRR (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing new drivers program) keeps its name. It functions as a bridge between both structures: testing developments in real races and training drivers, engineers, mechanics. The program continues as a practical school.

The Question About Formula 1

Toyota announced in October 2024 a partnership with Haas. From 2026, the team will compete as TGR Haas F1 Team with Toyota as the title sponsor. The collaboration includes engineering exchange, simulators, personnel development programs, and testing with previous seasons' cars.

That structure remains outside of GAZOO Racing as an operating entity. It is an independent commercial program that uses the Toyota corporate image but does not report directly to the racing teams.

Toyota publicly denies plans to become a full team or engine supplier for 2027. Executives linked to the manufacturer stated they do not plan to set up their own team or manufacture engines for Formula 1.

But there are reasons to doubt those statements:

The timing of the change is suspicious. The restructuring completes in January 2027, just as Haas has been TGR Haas F1 Team for one season. If Toyota evaluates results from 2026 before deciding on deeper participation, that schedule makes perfect sense.

Separating TOYOTA Racing now allows development without compromising current teams. The Cologne center manufactured Formula 1 engines between 2002-2009. It has the infrastructure and now operates separately from GAZOO Racing's immediate sporting decisions. If Toyota decides to enter as a full constructor, the platform already exists.

The partnership with Haas functions as a laboratory. Toyota can learn current regulations, train personnel, understand the political dynamics of modern Formula 1 without full commitment. This is different from their 2002 entry: a direct mega-structure that failed to win races in eight years of massive investment. The gradual route via Haas is more cautious but also smarter.

Toyota's behavioral pattern. They denied plans to return to WRC until they announced their return. They denied interest in developing internal sports cars until they revealed the GR Yaris. Toyota does not announce big projects until they are ready to launch.

The regulatory window. Formula 1 changes engine regulations in 2026. If Toyota wants to enter as a supplier, 2027 would be a logical time: one year to evaluate new rules in practice before committing to full development.