Toyota spent eight seasons in Formula 1 before leaving it at the end of 2009.© X (Twitter)
Toyota announced on Friday its return to Formula 1 after 15 years of absence, by signing a technical partnership with the American team Haas. The Japanese manufacturers spent eight seasons in Formula 1 before leaving at the end of 2009 with a record 13 podiums and no Grand Prix victories. Haas, currently seventh in the manufacturer standings, said Toyota would provide “design, technical and manufacturing services”.
The team said its cars will feature Toyota branding at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, later this month.
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda said he “finally became an ordinary old man who loves cars again.”
“I think that somewhere deep in his heart, Akio Toyoda, an older guy with a passion for cars, had always regretted having blocked – by retiring from F1 – the path of young Japanese people to driving cars. the fastest in the world,” he said.
Toyoda added that he believed his decision to retire from the sport in 2009 “wasn’t a bad one.”
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said he was “extremely excited” to work with Toyota.
“Having a global automotive industry leader support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate its own technical and engineering expertise, is simply a partnership with clear benefits on both sides,” he said. he declared.
Haas has signed French driver Esteban Ocon to drive for them next season on a multi-year deal.
Ocon will team up with 19-year-old British driver Oliver Bearman.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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