Craig Slater shares the name change Haas could make after Toyota deal

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Toyota will become technical partners of the Haas Formula 1 team, the two brands announced on Thursday. The Japanese manufacturer have been absent from the sport since they withdrew their works team at the end of 2009.

There will be Toyota branding on the Haas car at the United States Grand Prix, the team’s home race, next weekend. As it stands, the scope of the arrangement is limited.

For instance, Haas will continue to use Ferrari power units. They recently committed to buying the Scuderia’s engines until at least 2028.

Toyota will make their personnel and facilities available to Ayao Komatsu and his squad in the coming years. In return, they receive a lucrative marketing opportunity and the chance to run their drivers in Haas machinery.

They may also be able to increase their involvement in the future if both parties are satisfied with the early results. It’s a tentative step back into the sport after the failure of the works operation.

Between 2002 and 2009, Toyota competed in 140 races. In spite of their enormous resources, they failed to win a Grand Prix, though they did score 13 podiums and three pole positions.

Toyota could become title sponsors of the Haas Formula 1 team

Speaking on Sky Sports News, reporter Craig Slater outlined how Haas’ Toyota deal could evolve in the coming years. He suspects they could become the title sponsor of the team eventually.

The likeliest name in that instance would be Haas-Toyota. That would make clear that they aren’t a works operation.

This would be similar to Andretti’s agreement with Cadillac. The difference is that General Motors have already pledged to supply engines from 2028 should Andretti reach F1.

“Let’s see how this evolves,” Slater said. “But I think we could possibly see them maybe become the title sponsor, so have Toyota in the team name. Maybe, if the team continues to progress, might it evolve into something more than that?”

Toyota chief addresses ‘inhibiting’ issue after Haas tie-up

Haas have been a competitive addition to F1 since their debut in 2016. While they haven’t scored a podium in their 184 races – they’re the only team on the grid who have failed to do so – they have averaged around 1.5 points per weekend.

Their best championship finish to date is fifth in 2018, but that’s likely the ceiling for the team as it stands. Haas are the smallest outfit in F1, which has limited their long-term aspirations.

But with support from Toyota, they can look to become the pre-eminent team in midfield. The more the Japanese giants increase their role, the greater Haas’ chances of bridging the gap to the front.

Chairman Akio Toyoda says his staff never wanted to discuss F1 because they knew he’d pulled the plug on the team. That created an ‘inhibiting atmosphere’, but now the company can embrace the sport again.