Haas, the only U.S.-based Formula 1 team on the grid, received a major boost in the weeks leading up to their home race with the announcement of a new technical partnership with Toyota.
The Japanese car maker, which competed in Formula 1 between 2006-2009 and 140 races, is marking a soft return to the sport with this partnership.
Starting in Austin, Haas ran with Toyota Gazoo Racing decals to signify the beginning of the new technical alliance. In recent years, Toyota has been competing in both the World Rally Championship and with sports cars in the World Endurance Championship.
Although the arrangement is still in its early stages, Haas has enjoyed a recent upward trajectory, scoring in four consecutive races for the first time since 2018. They also recorded their best-ever result in their home race with Nico Hülkenberg achieving an eighth place in Austin. With a double points finish in the Saturday Sprint too (Kevin Magnussen finished seventh, one place ahead of Hülkenberg) the team overtook RB-Honda to jump up ahead to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
The highest finish Haas recorded was fifth in 2018. With promising young rookie and Ferrari protégé Oliver Bearman joining Esteban Ocon at the Haas team next year, the future is looking bright for the North Carolina-based outfit.
