Howdy friends,
It’s racin’ time! The following newsletter must be read in the thickest Texan accent possible, for the most authentic experience.
Top story of the week: Haas enters technical partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing
Ayao Komatsu has been busy since taking over the reins of Haas earlier this year. Two new drivers are coming in for next year, they extended their contract to use Ferrari engines through 2028 and now they’re announcing a technical partnership with automaker giant Toyota.
Why is this important? Ever since joining F1 in 2016, Haas has been known as the little team on the grid, running on a relatively small budget with a a large part of their operations outsourced to Ferrari and Dallara.
They have been through some very rough seasons, first with Rich Energy, which ended badly, and then with the Mazepins, which ended badly, and cars that leave much to be desired when it comes to being competitive.
Getting Toyota onboard adds much needed resources to the team, as they begin their preparations for the new formula in 2026. The partnership gives them access to the Toyota facilities in Cologne, most notably their wind tunnel and manufacturing facilities – both of which Haas are in dire need of. It’s being reported that they will begin shifting the design and manufacturing work from Dallara to Toyota, potentially moving the entire chassis production process to Toyota at some point in the future.
And while there are some reports that Toyota is planning to begin producing their own F1 engines, I have it on very good authority that there are no plans in place for any such venture in the short to medium term.
What remains to be seen, is how Haas will fare by adding a new location and partner in their already scattered operation: Administrative HQ in the US. Operational base in the UK. Design, testing and manufacturing with Dallara and Ferrari in Italy and Toyota in Germany and Japan.
The rest of the stories this week:
- The FIA has implemented new procedures after suspicions that an unnamed team has found a way to adjust ride height under parc ferme conditions
- Renault CEO Luca de Meo, who recently announced that Renault will cease F1 engine production, thinks F1 should abandon hybrid engines
- Briatore still wants Sainz at Alpine
- A nice rundown of the new McLaren TAG ECU that will be used by both NASCAR and Formula 1 from 2026
- Mercedes reached 98% biofuel coverage for their trucks and generators at the European races
- We have a few special US GP liveries: McLaren goes chrome, Alpine goes McLaren, Haas goes USA
- Aston Martin has introduced AI.Lonso
- The Australian government plans to ban dynamic ticket pricing
- The South Korean city of Incheon is interested in hosting an F1 street race
- Mick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel will represent Germany at Race of Champions
- DAMS will replace Jenzer Motorsport in Formula 3 from next year
- According to Viaplay Norway, Dennis Hauger will depart Formula 2 and go to Indy NXT
- ERT Formula E team has been acquired by an investment firm, and will be rebranded as Kiro Race Co
- Lamborghini is “committed” to their LMDh programme, however no decision has been made on participating in the 2025 WEC or IMSA seasons yet
- Rolex, who recently announced their departure from Formula 1, will be the new official timepiece of IMSA
- The Nitrocross series has cancelled their upcoming races in Phoenix, Miami and Las Vegas
- Ferrari launches the new F80 hypercar
And since we’re back to racing, just a reminder that I’m keeping track of Norris’ hunt for the championship over on twitter. You should check it out.
That’s it for this week. Until next time, thank you for being here.
If you want to support me, you can help fuel the snack addition that powers me through compiling these lists and vetting the stories – you can do so on Buymeacoffee or Patreon.
