The Japanese automaker has struck a technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team, kicking off what looks like an exciting chapter for both organisations.

For those of you who remember Toyota’s previous F1 stint, they raced from 2002 to 2009 as both a works team and engine supplier, collecting 13 podiums along the way. Their best finish was fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. 

Now, as part of the multi-year agreement, Toyota’s motorsport arm, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), will share technical expertise, design insights, and manufacturing resources with Haas.

In return, Haas will contribute their own technical know-how and commercial benefits to the relationship. Essentially, this partnership aims to bolster Haas’ competitiveness while giving Toyota a playground to refine its tech and engineering skills through the world of F1.

What’s even more interesting is that this partnership will run alongside Haas’ long-standing deal with Ferrari. Haas will continue to work with Ferrari, which has been their engine supplier since they entered the sport in 2016. 

Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1’s Team Principal, mentioned: “I’m hugely excited that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have come together for this technical partnership.”

“To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise, it’s simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides.”

The crux of the deal lies in leveraging Toyota’s vast resources and deep technical knowledge to improve Haas’ development and overall standing in the sport.

“We offer a platform for Toyota Gazoo Racing to fully utilize and subsequently advance their in-house engineering capabilities.”

Tomoya Takahashi, President of Gazoo Racing Company, echoed Komatsu’s sentiments, saying: “We are pleased to announce that MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing have concluded a basic agreement to enter a technical partnership.”

He went on to stress that both teams aim to grow their engineering talent, cultivate drivers, and contribute to both motorsports and the automotive industry. Expect to see Toyota Gazoo Racing branding on the Haas cars, driven by Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, from the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

At present, Haas is seventh in the Constructors’ Championship, just three points behind Red Bull’s second team.

Photo Credits: Formula 1 Content Pool

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Hyundai and Toyota are joining forces to present a motorsport extravaganza like no other: the inaugural Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival. Set to take place at the Everland Speedway in Yong-in, South Korea, this event is all about showcasing high-performance cars, racing talent, and an unwavering passion for motorsport.

Hyundai and Toyota may be fierce rivals on the track, but this time they’re coming together to give Korean motorsport fans a spectacle worth remembering. The event will feature demo drives, test rides, and rally-style exhibitions, complete with World Rally Championship (WRC) cars and the drivers who make them fly.

And speaking of big names, Hyundai’s Executive Chair Euisun Chung and Toyota’s Chairman Akio Toyoda will be there in person. 

Hyundai N will be rolling out the big guns from its WRC program, including the i20 N Rally 1 Hybrid and i20 N Rally 2. On hand to wrangle these beasts will be WRC legends Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo, and Andreas Mikkelsen.

TCR drivers Norbert Mischelisz and Mikel Azcona will put Hyundai N’s production lineup, including the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N, through their paces.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is coming in strong with the GR YARIS Rally 1 Hybrid, GR Supra, GR86, and the GR Yaris Rally 2. With WRC ace Takamoto Katsuta and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team principal Jari-Matti Latvala in the driver’s seat, you can bet Toyota’s racing arsenal will be on full display.

Nine-time Japan Rally Champion Norihiko Katsuta will also be there, showing that motorsport runs deep in the Katsuta bloodline.

Hyundai will be giving us a peek at what’s to come with the IONIQ 5 N Drift Spec and the hydrogen-powered N Vision 74, while Toyota will showcase its own hydrogen combustion tech with the AE86 H2 Concept.

As Hyundai’s Executive Vice President Yeong Ho Lee put it, “This event will emphasise the fierce competition and friendship that coexist in motorsport… it’s a chance to showcase the shared passion for cars between Hyundai and Toyota.”

Toyota Motor Korea’s CEO, Manabu Konyama, echoed the sentiment: “Toyota remains committed to furthering and strengthening motorsports culture, and we’re glad to be working alongside Hyundai N to give fans a chance to experience car culture beyond the racetrack.”

For all the details on the Hyundai N x TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival, and to stay updated on what’s in store, head to the official website or follow Hyundai N and TOYOTA GAZOO Racing on social media.

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Five of LOR’s finest have earned their spots in the Asia finals, ready to represent their countries.

In the recent Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup Singapore 2024 held on 16 August, LOR’s Dillan Tan secured a commendable second place. Although thrilled with his achievement, Tan will unfortunately miss the upcoming Asia finals due to prior commitments.

Stepping up for Singapore, Jayden Liaw, who finished fifth in the national finals, is eager to make his mark on the international stage.

“It’s my first time participating in a Gran Turismo race, and the thrill of battling it out on the virtual track was incredible,” shared Liaw. “I’m grateful to the team for their support in honing my skills and making me a better driver. Balancing schoolwork and practice will be challenging, but I’m all in for the Asia Finals.”

This year’s Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup 2024 pits national finalists against each other in a series of three races, with cumulative points determining the overall results.

Over in the Philippines, the Legion of Racers team, comprising Luis Moreno and Enzo Ison, dominated their national finals on 18 August, clinching first and second place respectively in a newly introduced format where participants advanced to sprint races based on their fastest qualifying times.

Reflecting on his victory, Moreno said, “I’m thrilled to have another shot at the Asia Finals. With the level of competition based on sport mode rankings, it’s going to be tougher this year. I’ll need to push harder and give it everything I’ve got.”

Enzo, equally excited, remarked, “This national final was one of the most challenging races of my career. The competition was fierce, and the grid was incredibly competitive. I’m excited and nervous to represent my country abroad for the first time, and I hope everything goes well for me, my teammates, and everyone involved.”

In the Toyota GAZOO Racing GT Cup Indonesia 2024, held on 11 August, LOR’s Moreno Pratama Yudha and Andika Rama Maulana secured the top two podium spots, proving their mettle in a closely fought contest.

“I’m over the moon with the result, with a P1 and P2 finish for our team,” said Moreno. “2023 was tough for me, but I kept pushing, and this year’s results are proof that perseverance pays off. We’ll be gunning for the best results at the Asia Finals.”

Andika, also known as Ramstig, echoed Moreno’s sentiments, adding, “This year’s competition was even more intense than last year. Every participant’s pace was tightly matched, making race strategy crucial. In the end, our hard work paid off, and I’m thrilled we’ll be representing our nations and our team in the Asia Finals. We’re ready to push even harder!”

The top three racers from each Legion of Racers team were awarded prizes based on their individual cumulative points:

• Singapore Team: Dillan Tan earned SGD 2,000 with a final score of 40 points.

• Indonesia Team: Moreno Pratama Yudha took home RP 18,000,000 with 50 points, while Andika Rama Maulana earned RP 13,000,000 with 44 points.

• Philippines Team: Luis Moreno secured PHP 100,000 with 70 points, while Enzo Ison earned PHP 75,000 with 49 points.

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