Last Updated on July 11 2024, 2:09 pm
Toyota in SHOCK F1 return for 2025 – Much has been written about the Formula One rejection of the Andretti Racing application to become the 11th team on the grid, but a stealth takeover is underway by Toyota of an existing team. Haas were initially accepted by the FIA to join motorsport’s top table, but the commercial rights holder under pressure from the existing teas rejected the Americans’ application on a number of spurious grounds.
Andretti were in effect told to come back when the planned GM built new F1 powertrain would be ready estimated to be smoothie around 2028. The plan is the Cadillac will represent the GM brand but a proposal for Andretti to run with Renault power units badged as Cadillac in the interim was rejected.
Andretti exclusion goes legal
Following the Andretti exclusion, the US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into whether Formula One is operating under ‘anti competitive’ practices by refusing entry into the club for other F1 teams and a June date was given for the sport to answer the committees information requests.
The investigation was triggered by a letter from a bipartisan group of senators who claim, “It is possible that such a refusal to deal—especially if orchestrated through a group boycott—could violate U.S. antitrust laws.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who was previous supporter of the inclusion of Andretti in F1, changed his tune recently suggesting it would be “better” if the Americans bought an existing team instead.
Of course Andretti claim there are no teams for sale at this time and inflated valuations recently placed on Formula One make it non-sensical to buy any team other than Haas whose value is around where the new anti-dilution (entrance) fee from 2026 may be set.
Horner to address the Perez issue
Toyota tie up with Haas F1
Various valuations for teams have been mooted over the past 12 months, but Forbes lists Haas F1 at some £600m which could prove to be an attractive option for Andretti. Yet behind the scenes there is no love lost between Gene Haas and Michael Andretti and so the prospect of a deal between the two parties remains pretty low.
Yet Haas is F1’s perpetual struggler from a financial perspective and unlike Williams, the team is incapable of even spending up to the cost cap limit as defined in the FIA’s financial regulations. Recent reports suggest Gene could well eventually sell his team but for now is still looking for partners to see the constant search for funds which is where Toyota comes in.
formula.hu now reports, Toyota could be on the F1 grid as early as next season in a deal which would see the branding on the cars in similar fashion to how Sauber were branded Alfa Romeo for a number of years.
Given Haas does not manufacture cars, there is no conflict of interest as Stellantis the owners of Sauber proved in past years. The deal allegedly will see Toyota move operations to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s HQ in Cologne, Germany from 2025 although the team will continue with its Ferrari engine deal until 2028.
Huge admission by Horner over Hamilton
Following the Aston Martin model
Whilst this may feel like a miss mash of brands cooled together it is merely following the path taken by Aston Martin to become a fully owned and operating manufacturer team. Some may thin k its odd for an American team to operate under a Japanese brand with and Italian engine, but Aston Martin have made these kind of partnerships work in the past.
Aston were title sponsors for Red Bull in the beginning, then the team emerged from the ashes of Racing Point at their Silverstone base and will become a works outfit with Honda power from the new regulation changes coming for 2026.
Toyota’s involvement would see a see change in the fashion Haas F1 operate. Currently they outsource their chassis design to Italian company Dallara and buy as much of the allowed ‘listed components’ from Ferrari.
Toyota would want to control more of the car design and development aspect and over time integrate their own manufacturing processes to replace this from sub-contractors at present.
EURO2024 – VERSTAPPEN: ORANJE DON’T NEED TIPS AGAINST ENGLAND
Haas F1 upward trajectory
Haas F1 are currently on an upward trajectory following another strong result at last weekend’s British Brand Prix. Nico Hulkenberg finished in sixth palace for the second race is succession moving Haas now 18 points clear of closest rivals Alpine.
The American owned team arrived at Silverstone with a heavily upgraded VF-24 car and the modifications worked well at the high speed circuit in Northamptonshire. A top notch performance from Hulkenberg in qualifying on Saturday set him up to take advantage of misfortune falling to both George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
“I’m very happy for the team, eight more points on the board – super valuable. More importantly, the performance is there with this update and that makes me optimistic for the remainder of the season,” said Hulkenberg after the Grand Prix. We’re definitely in the fight now for the fifth-fastest team, which is obviously positive and nobody expected that a few weeks ago. It’s very encouraging and very positive.
Magnussen didn’t have all the upgrades
“It was a tricky race with the rain at the beginning which wasn’t enough for inters. Around here with high-speed corners and the grip like this, it was very risky, but we managed to keep it clean and got back what we lost at the start.”
His team-mate Kevin Magnussen could only manage 12th, but to he did not have all the latest updates available to his team mate.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu was delighted post chequered flag explaining, “It’s an excellent day. It’s a shame we couldn’t score points with both cars as had Kevin not had that graining issue on the softs in the last stint, he would’ve been close to scoring points.
Horner reveals Perez contract exit clause
Haas F1 boss delighted
“Overall, P6 at two races in a row, what more can I ask for. The updates have worked again and Nico felt it straightaway on Friday, his qualifying on Saturday showed it and his race pace today showed it. Kevin in the old spec car was happy, but I think he had damage from FP2, so all in all today, these are results to be proud of.
“It wasn’t an easy race, there were changeable conditions and it’s easy to say you only have to put the right tires on at the right time, but it’s much more difficult to do, but we achieved that. It’s been a huge team effort so I’m really proud of them.”
It’s all change at Haas F1 next year as Nico Hulkenberg is leaving for Sauber/Audi next season and rookie Oliver Bearman will replace the departing German. Esteban Ocon has linked with the Sauber/Audi project should the team fail to attract their first choice Carlos Sainz,. however if Sainz joins the merging German outfit, then Ocon is expected replace Magnussen at Haas F1.
Sainz to Mercedes was ‘back on
Ferrari have a growing headache given their collapse in form since the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix where Charles Leclerc scored his maiden home win and team mate Carlos Sainz collected the third place trophy in the principality.
Over the four races since the champagne outside the Automobile Club of Monaco, Mercedes have scored 125 points,McLaren 111, Red Bull 97 but Ferrari have just 50 points. Carlos Sainz in the meantime has closed the gap to his team mate to just 4 points and again at the British Grand Prix it was the Spaniard who made the right call on tyre choice, while Leclerc got it spectacularly wrong…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
