Haas F1 begins to see tangible benefits from its Toyota collaboration during a private Jerez test

This week marks a milestone for the Haas Formula 1 team as it experiences the first tangible contribution from its partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR). The collaboration, which was announced last year, has moved beyond branding and initial groundwork, with a private testing programme underway at the Jerez circuit.

The test features Toyota junior Ritomo Miyata alongside Haas’s 2025 drivers, Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman. Miyata’s inclusion signals the growing synergy between Haas and Toyota. Beyond the drivers, this testing session represents the first significant operational benefit for Haas since its tie-up with the Japanese manufacturer.

When the partnership was revealed, it marked Toyota’s first official involvement in Formula 1 since it withdrew as a works team in 2009. While TGR branding appeared on Haas cars from the United States Grand Prix onwards last year, the benefits of the collaboration were not immediately evident. In fact, according to Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu, the initial stages of the partnership added strain rather than delivering results.

During the post-season Abu Dhabi test in 2024, Haas ran Toyota’s sportscar driver Ryo Hirakawa, another early step in the collaboration. Komatsu made it clear at the time that any tangible gains from the partnership would take months, if not a year, to materialise.

“Do you think the day after announcing a partnership, parts magically appear on the car? No,” Komatsu stated candidly in December 2024. He explained that the initial phases of setting up the collaboration required significant resources and stretched the team even further.

“It’s a dip stage, which is normal. We’re working harder to stabilise the project, but it will take several months to see if any benefit is on track,” Komatsu said.

Fast forward to January 2025, and Haas is finally beginning to emerge from that “dip stage.” The Jerez test underscores Toyota’s commitment to making a meaningful impact on Haas’s Formula 1 programme. The inclusion of a private test, a luxury for a team like Haas, highlights the resources and expertise Toyota is bringing to the table.

Ritmo Miyata’s presence alongside experienced drivers like Ocon and Bearman strengthens the link between the two organisations. It also reflects Toyota’s dedication to nurturing its own talent within the Formula 1 framework.

This collaboration could signal a turning point for Haas. As the team stabilises its operations under the partnership, it hopes to leverage Toyota’s engineering expertise, resources, and driver development programme to climb the F1 ranks.

Although the effects of the partnership are only just beginning to surface, this week’s developments at Jerez suggest that Haas and Toyota are finally shifting gears. The months of groundwork are paying off, and the team is optimistic about what lies ahead in the 2025 season and beyond.