Haas F1 Team to Rebrand as TGR Haas F1 in Expanded Toyota Partnership for 2026
Haas F1 Team is set for a major rebrand in 2026, becoming TGR Haas F1 Team, following an expanded title partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. This deeper collaboration will bring a new in-house simulator, an enhanced driver development program for Japanese talent, and significant technical backing, fueling speculation about Toyota's long-term F1 ambitions despite Haas's owner's stance on selling.
The Haas Formula 1 team is set to undergo a significant rebrand for the 2026 season, marking an expanded technical and title partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. This move signifies a deeper collaboration between the American F1 outfit and the Japanese automotive giant, extending beyond their current technical alliance.
Why it matters:
This rebranding and intensified partnership could significantly impact Haas's future performance and potentially reshape Toyota's involvement in F1. For Haas, it provides crucial technical backing and resources, including a new in-house simulator and a private testing program. For Toyota, it offers a platform to develop Japanese drivers and engineers within the F1 ecosystem, fueling speculation about their long-term intentions in the sport, despite Gene Haas's stated disinterest in selling the team.
The details:
- Expanded Partnership: The existing technical partnership, initiated in October last year with Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR), will see TGR become Haas's new title partner for 2026, replacing Moneygram.
- New Team Name: The team will officially be entered as TGR Haas F1 Team. This marks the first time a Toyota brand has held such a prominent team attachment since their departure from F1 in 2009.
- Driver Development: The collaboration has already facilitated a private testing program, primarily focused on developing Japanese drivers, and will now be known as the TGR Haas Driver Development Programme.
- Infrastructure Boost: The partnership is leading to the installation of Haas's first in-house driver-in-loop simulator at their UK base, a critical tool for modern F1 development.
- Visual Identity: While TGR logos are already on the car, the title partnership suggests a more extensive visual integration in the TGR Haas VF-26 livery, expected to be revealed on Friday, January 23rd, 2026.
- Toyota's Vision: Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda emphasized the deal's role in accelerating TGR's 'People, Product, Pipeline' mantra, focusing on nurturing the next generation of talent.
The big picture:
This expanded partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing represents a major step forward for Haas, offering enhanced technical capabilities and a clear development pathway. For Toyota, it’s a strategic move to foster talent and maintain a presence in F1 without committing to a full-fledged manufacturer return. The move inevitably invites speculation about Toyota's deeper ambitions in F1, especially given their history, even as Gene Haas asserts his commitment to retaining ownership of his team. The increased investment and technical synergy could significantly elevate Haas's competitiveness in the coming seasons.
What's next:
The TGR Haas VF-26 livery will be unveiled on January 23rd, 2026, ahead of the new 2026 cars' private testing in Barcelona. The performance of the TGR Haas F1 Team in the new regulatory era will be closely watched, particularly concerning how the expanded partnership translates into on-track results and whether it eventually signals a more profound re-entry for Toyota into Formula 1.