Haas announce title sponsorship with Toyota

Formula One's sole American team, Haas will have a new identity next season as they strengthen their relationship with the Japanese manufacturer, Toyota.

Ahead of the season-closing race in Abu Dhabi, Haas have announced that they intend to further strengthen their relationship with Toyota Gazoo Racing which is the motorsport competition and research and development division of Toyota Motor Corporation.

As part of the extended cooperation, the Japanese brand will assume title partnership rights with the American Formula 1 team which will officially be titled TGR Haas F1 Team for the 2026 F1 season.

Toyota and Haas entered a multi-year technical partnership together in October 2024, and they have now announced that "the new title partnership deal is a further bonding of the core objectives of the relationship between Haas F1 Team and TGR – focusing on ‘People, Product, Pipeline’, which includes the development of essential human resources such as drivers, engineers and mechanics to build a sustainable motorsports industry and culture."

As part of the existing partnership between the two companies, Haas established its TPC program (Testing of Previous Car) throughout the 2025 season – a program which from 2026 will officially be known as the ‘TGR Haas Driver Development Program’.

This year’s TPC running extended across 14 days utilizing the Haas VF-23, and took place at Silverstone, Paul Ricard, Fuji Speedway, Imola and Mugello – with Japanese racers Ryō Hirakawa, Ritomo Miyata, Sho Tsuboi and Kamui Kobayashi all enjoying outings through their TGR associations.

Reflecting on the announcement, Komatsu added: “It’s naturally a privilege to deepen our relationship with TGR through this new title partnership agreement.

“Our working relationship to-date has been everything we hoped it would be. It’s been evidenced through our successful TPC 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.

"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.”

Speaking on behalf of Toyota Motor Corporation, Chairman Akio Toyoda commented: “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.

"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. Together with Gene Haas, Ayao, and everyone at TGR Haas F1 Team, we will build both a culture and a team for the future. Toyota is now truly on the move.”