The Quiet Plan of Toyota in Formula 1

The recent technical partnership between Haas and Toyota has generated significant interest both within and outside the Formula 1 paddock. While Toyota returns to F1, it is not doing so as a factory team like in the past. This time, their approach is more measured, collaborating with a team that has been struggling at the back of the grid. The question many are asking is: what is Toyota really looking for with this alliance, and what could it mean for Haas?

A Calculated Strategy

Toyota, which left Formula 1 in 2009 after a massive investment that did not translate into victories, has shown with this alliance that it is in no hurry to return to the top category as a team or engine manufacturer. However, the collaboration with Haas allows the Japanese brand to stay close to the action while applying its vast technical knowledge accumulated in other racing series.

Toyota has been a dominant player in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where its hybrid vehicles have achieved multiple championships and victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It has also excelled in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the Dakar Rally, and NASCAR, where its technical and organizational capabilities have been key to success. This shows that wherever Toyota decides to get involved, it does so with a clear intention to win, and it seems that Formula 1 could be the next step, but with a more cautious approach.

The Kaizen Concept and Toyota's Plan

One of the principles that has characterized Toyota in its industrial and technical management is the Japanese concept of Kaizen, which promotes continuous improvement through small, constant advances. This approach, widely popularized by the Toyota Production System (TPS), also seems to apply to its relationship with Haas. Rather than seeking immediate results, Toyota may be more interested in building a solid foundation that will allow them to make a safer entry into F1 in the future. The idea is to observe, learn, and improve every detail of the car and its performance, providing Haas with a technical advantage they would have struggled to achieve on their own.

Andretti and Haas: A Partnership That Never Happened

An interesting question is whether there was any approach between Andretti and Haas before Toyota got involved. Andretti has been trying to enter Formula 1 for the past few years, and their intention to form an American team has been clear, especially with the backing of General Motors (GM), which has mentioned the possibility of developing an F1 engine. It is plausible that Andretti saw Haas as an opportunity to enter the category, but if the negotiations between Haas and Toyota were already advanced, it could explain why that alliance never materialized.

It is possible that Toyota's plan with Haas has been in place longer than we think. If talks began when Haas was close to selling the team during the difficult pandemic years, Toyota could have seen an opportunity to get involved gradually and strategically, as they are doing now. This approach allows them to assess the terrain without committing too early, which may have been more appealing to Gene Haas than a possible sale or partnership with Andretti.

Audi and Toyota: Two Different Paths

Toyota's approach has interesting parallels with the case of Audi, another brand that decided to enter Formula 1 through a well-calculated strategy. Like Toyota, Audi is a manufacturer that dominated the WEC, where it won multiple titles before deciding that the logical next step was Formula 1. However, the key difference is that Audi opted for a direct entry by purchasing a majority stake in Sauber, ensuring a full presence as a factory team starting in 2026.

While Toyota has preferred a more gradual entry through its technical collaboration with Haas, Audi has opted for full control of a team. This could mean that Audi is willing to take more risks in its return to F1, while Toyota prefers to measure the terrain before fully committing. Both manufacturers are looking to leverage their vast experience in motorsport, but they are doing so with different approaches. Toyota, with its Kaizen philosophy, seems more interested in developing a solid foundation and learning before taking a bigger step, while Audi has bet on a more aggressive entry by buying an established team.

A Long-Term Partnership?

While Toyota has been clear that it is not returning as a team or engine manufacturer at the moment, this technical partnership with Haas could be the first step in a broader plan. By getting involved with an established team that has limitations in terms of development and resources, Toyota may be gauging the current state of Formula 1, especially with the new regulations set to come into effect in 2026. These changes, which include a greater proportion of electric power and the use of sustainable fuels, are areas where Toyota already has extensive experience thanks to its participation in competitions like the WEC.

Furthermore, this alliance offers Toyota the opportunity to assess how their hybrid technology can adapt to the demands of Formula 1 without the financial and operational commitments of running their own team, as in their previous attempt.

The Impact for Haas

For Haas, this agreement represents a unique opportunity to raise their competitive level. So far, the team has struggled to maintain consistent performance on the grid, partly due to budget and technical limitations. With Toyota as a technical partner, Haas could benefit from Toyota's vast experience in hybrid vehicle development and process optimization. While drastic improvements are not expected in the short term, the partnership could give the American team the tools they need to start climbing up the grid.

The Future of Toyota in F1

Although Toyota is not committed to a full return to Formula 1 at the moment, it cannot be ruled out that this is the first step toward something bigger. As seen with other brands like Audi, which bought Sauber to secure a place on the grid in 2026, Toyota may be carefully evaluating when and how it would be most appropriate to take that leap. The collaboration with Haas not only allows them to maintain an active connection with Formula 1, but also to test their technology in a highly competitive environment.