Toyota is back. Well, in the words of Eminem, it’s back again, because for the past year it has been dipping a toe into the world of Formula 1 through a ‘technical partnership’ with the MoneyGram Haas F1 Team. The pair have now announced that for the 2026 season, Toyota will become the title sponsor of Haas, meaning it will now be known as the TGR Haas F1 Team. That’s Toyota Gazoo Racing, of course.
“It’s naturally a privilege to deepen our relationship with TGR through this new title partnership agreement,” said Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.
“Our working relationship to date has been everything we hoped it would be. It’s been evidenced through our successful TPC (Testing of Previous Car) running this season, but there’s been so much more going on behind the scenes, too—including the development and installation of the simulator at our Banbury facility for 2026.
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“The cultivation of personnel, all working collaboratively between Haas F1 Team and TGR, has benefited us greatly, and that’s something that will only increase as our partnership matures. We’re excited to further grow with the likes of our driver program too, and it’s been encouraging to see the depth of talent TGR is backing in that process.”
Yep, Toyota has a number of Japanese drivers on its books who have driven during tests of the old Haas VF-23 in the past year. This was apparently Haas’s first “fully-fledged TPC program” and Ryo Hirakawa, Ritomo Miyata, Sho Tsuboi and Kamui Kobayashi all took part.
No word yet on whether Toyota will have any say in the Haas driver lineup, though. Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman have already been confirmed for 2026, but might the Japanese be knocking on the door if the current pair struggle to cope with F1’s new regs? Certainly sounds like it…
“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,” said Akio Toyoda on the announcement of this further partnership.
“Seeing this transformation moved me deeply. And today, I can say this with confidence, Toyota has finally begun to move—really move. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu for standing alongside our young members, believing in their potential, and facing the future with the same passion and perspective.
“By taking our partnership with Haas another step forward next year, TGR’s ‘People, Product, Pipeline’ mantra will accelerate in a way we have never seen before. The time has come for the next generation to take their first steps toward the world stage.”
Interesting. The TGR Haas F1 Team will unveil its new livery on January 23 before private testing begins in Barcelona a few days later.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
