Not just in WRC and WEC, Toyota in Formula 1? Confirmation is still pending, but there are rumors that the Japanese giant might return, after a 15-year absence, to the pinnacle of motorsport in partnership with the Haas F1 Team.
After Andretti’s interest in entering the top tier of motorsport, could we see Toyota in Formula 1? For now, it’s just a rumor, paddock whispers that, however, could become a reality within the Championship. This wouldn’t be an attempt to bring a new team to the grid but rather to start a partnership with the Haas F1 Team, as reported by Formula.hu. This would represent a small step toward the real goal, which is the potential acquisition of the team itself.
Under the leadership of team principal Ayao Komatsu, Haas is experiencing a season of “redemption,” already scoring twice as many points in the first half of the championship compared to last year. Following this momentum, it’s not out of the question that the American team might collaborate with the Japanese giant for car construction as early as 2025, while still maintaining the Ferrari engine, as the partnership with the Maranello team is set until the end of 2028.
Could the partnership with Toyota have been the key motivation behind the potential move of Esteban Ocon to Haas?
In a heated period like this, there’s no shortage of speculation about the next teams for drivers whose contracts are expiring. Among the rumors is the possibility of Esteban Ocon joining rookie Ollie Bearman at the Haas F1 Team next season. According to reports from Formula.hu, the basis of Ocon’s decision could be the entry of a major manufacturer into the team, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Photo: Pinterest, Toyota Gazoo Racing WEC