When Toyota announced it would be strengthening its partnership with Haas for 2026, it was seen as a remarkably smart business move.
The Japanese automotive giant famously struggled during its stint as a full-time Formula 1 outfit between 2002 and 2009, burning through billions on car development and an in-house engine program, yet securing only a handful of podiums and zero victories.
Partnering with an existing team rather than risking another costly works repeat is a low-risk, high-reward strategy. It instantly restores Toyota’s global presence in F1 without the financial burden of running an independent team.
The technical benefits are equally compelling. Toyota gains direct access to cutting-edge F1 engineering, design methodologies, and data analysis.
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) engineers work alongside Haas personnel, utilising Toyota’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and testing facilities in Cologne, Germany, a setup that keeps TGR’s engineering talent sharp while granting Haas top-tier operational support.
Although the full impact of this partnership on Sunday race results is still finding its feet on track, Toyota’s backing has already transformed a crucial area off the track previously reserved for teams higher up the grid: a structured Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) program.
Toyota has solved Haas’s biggest operational gap
The news that Esteban Ocon will part ways with Haas at the end of 2026 has injected new energy into an otherwise quiet F1 silly season.
Haas finds itself in an enviable position with several strong options to replace him. Official reserve driver Jack Doohan brings actual F1 race experience to the table, while Ryo Hirakawa represents the team’s direct bridge to TGR.
Hirakawa has been a prime beneficiary of Haas’s newfound TPC capabilities since joining the fold, gaining crucial track time in modern machinery that Haas simply couldn’t afford to run in previous years.
Simulators and TPC programs are vital pillars for modern F1 success, giving teams a platform to evaluate talent and validate setup correlation. However, they are exceptionally resource-heavy and fall outside the traditional race-weekend budget.
Between track hire at Grade 1 circuits, freight logistics, bespoke testing tyres from Pirelli, engine component wear, fuel, and travelling support crews, running a single TPC day can easily cost upwards of £250,000.
For a lean, cost-conscious outfit like Haas, which operated for years on one of the smallest budgets on the grid, a standalone TPC program was completely out of the question. Before TGR arrived, Haas had run zero TPC tests since joining the grid in 2016.
That dynamic has changed dramatically under Toyota. Supported by TGR’s operational backing, hardware, and staff, Haas ran three main multi-day TPC outings in 2025 and is executing another three in 2026, including high-profile running at Toyota’s home circuit, Fuji Speedway.
How Haas is assessing Ocon’s successor
Most recently, the team put Doohan through his paces during a September TPC test at Jerez, utilising 2025-spec machinery as permitted under FIA regulations. This closely followed an August evaluation test at Portimão featuring Hirakawa alongside Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and Ferrari Driver Academy prospect Rafael Câmara.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu emphasised that these sessions offer critical, unfiltered data when evaluating potential drivers for 2027 and beyond.
“We have just got to analyse the result very carefully because it’s a TPC test. It’s very, very difficult to normalise the conditions; changing wind, the track temperature, lap times change quite a lot,” said Komatsu.
“It’s a very, very important decision. For those guys, F1 is always a dream to achieve. So, we’ve got to make the right decision. That’s why we’re taking time to just make sure we do it right.”
While Toyota does not have a direct veto over Haas’s driver choices, its financial muscle and operational resources have given Haas the luxury of thoroughly auditing candidates for the first time.
Furthermore, the benefits extend far beyond the driver’s seat. TPC track days also serve as an invaluable training ground for TGR’s junior engineers, data analysts, and mechanics, letting them gain high-pressure, real-world trackside experience with modern hybrid F1 machinery outside the chaos of an official Grand Prix weekend.
Toyota gets unmatched brand visibility in a booming F1 market, and Haas gets the functional infrastructure of a midfield powerhouse.
