Toyota returns to Formula 1 in technical partnership with US-based Haas

Toyota is returning to Formula 1 after 15 years as the Japanese automaker becomes a technical partner of American racing team Haas.

There will be Toyota branding on the Haas cars starting from next week's United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, and the auto giant's racing division will provide design, technical and manufacturing services to the North Carolina-based team.

This doesn't mean a return of the Toyota works team which raced in F1 for eight seasons until 2009, however.

Haas will still race under its own name and Toyota isn't going to be supplying engines like it did for other teams in the 2000s.

Haas already has an agreement to use Ferrari engines through 2028 as part of an existing partnership which dates to Haas' first F1 season in 2016. Haas previously extended its Ferrari deal in July to cover the new F1 regulations coming in 2026.

The announcement of the multi-year agreement seemed to suggest Toyota could seek to place a driver with Haas, which doesn't have a spar