Formula 1 Rumor: Toyota could follow Cadillac into F1 pitlane (3rd Update)

(GMM) A twelfth Formula 1 team could soon be following in Cadillac’s wheel-tracks.

After a long fight with F1 commercial rights holder Liberty Media and the existing ten teams, Cadillac – originally Andretti – was finally allowed to enter the sport from 2026.

“I didn’t understand it,” F1 legend Gerhard Berger told Auto Motor und Sport when asked about Liberty’s opposition. “Maybe there’s something in the background that I don’t know about.

“What more could you want than an American team with an American driver and the power of Cadillac behind it? Yes, Cadillac takes a bit of money away from the other teams, but it also brings in new sponsors.

“A better solution should have been found rather than arguing for two years,” Berger said.

Andretti-Cadillac was always supported by the FIA, which is headed by controversial president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The FIA president is now hinting that F1 should max out the grid by adding a twelfth team.

“We are very aware that I suffered a big attack because of the eleventh team,” Ben Sulayem said. “But now we have an eleventh team.

“Was it necessary to go through all that mess to have it? I don’t think so,” he added. “There were clear regulations, and we are even allowed to have twelve teams.

“Are we going to have twelve? If the right team comes, the FIA will open the expression of interest. We are not afraid of anyone. We will do what is right for the FIA.”

Toyota has revealed plans to gradually move towards a possible full return to F1. The recent Toyota deal with Haas has led to much speculation and a possible confirmation that Toyota might be planning to return to F1.

“We are, of course, studying the technologies for 2026 and even current technologies,” Kaji told Motorsport.com. “I feel we’re gradually moving in that direction.”

While the Internet has run amok with the rumor’s, it would be safe to say that no formal plans have been formalized for the return of the brand into F1. As of yet, no resources of the brand would be redirected towards getting involved in F1 again as an engine supplier.

“We’re not at a stage where we would redirect all our resources there [to a full F1 return],” Kaji explained.

“What happens after 2030 is still uncertain. We’re working on various new technologies, so whether our vector aligns with F1 remains to be seen.”

The partnership between Haas and Toyota has been a pathway for young drivers to pave their way into F1.

Related Article:  F1 News: Russ O’Blenes to lead Cadillac F1 engine development

(GMM) Toyota is not ruling out eventually expanding its new involvement in Formula 1 beyond a mere technical partnership with Haas.

The Japanese carmaker, via its Toyota Gazoo Racing offshoot, is helping Ferrari-powered Haas with parts manufacture, technical resources, and simulation.

But Masaya Kaji, Toyota Gazoo director, says he’s also interested in F1 power unit development.

“Morizo has told us, ‘It’s been 15 years since we were in Formula 1, so you need to learn’,” Kaji, referring to Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda, told as-web.jp.

“I think we need to understand a little more about various things and then consider this as the next step.”

Specialist publications like Auto Motor und Sport believe it’s possible Formula 1 will welcome a twelfth team to the grid in the coming years – especially if it’s Toyota.

The technical regulations are changing completely for 2026, including power unit rules that dramatically ramp up the electrical component of the engine.

When asked if Toyota is interested in the rules, Kaji admitted: “Of course, I’m looking at everything there is to see. I think it will become a system that is easier to use in a variety of ways than it is now.”

However, for now, Toyota is excluded from the detailed discussions and meetings with F1, the FIA and the other engine manufacturers about the 2026 engines.

“I think it would be good to participate in the meetings in order to learn, but to participate, you need to be registered as a manufacturer with F1.”

(GMM) F1 legend Mario Andretti will be part of the newly-confirmed Cadillac team entry for 2026 and beyond, and elsewhere rumors of Toyota eventually buying the Haas team are still out there.

The rumors swirling in Las Vegas at the weekend were true – with Andretti Global and Michael Andretti no longer conspicuously prominent in the project, a deal has been done “in principle” to allow General Motors’ Cadillac brand to enter the sport.

In the official statement put out by Formula 1, which had previously blocked the ‘Andretti-Cadillac’ project, the Andretti name and brand was not mentioned even once.

Not just that, Dan Towriss, a co-owner of Andretti Global who in September took over day-to-day operations after Michael Andretti stepped back, was mentioned in the official F1 statement as “CEO of TWG Global’s motorsport business”.

On X, former McLaren driver Michael Andretti indicated that he is not really involved in Cadillac F1 at all. “(The team) is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!”

The F1 statement also didn’t mention Andretti’s even more famous father, 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, even though he separately confirmed that he actually will be involved in Cadillac F1.

GM-owned Cadillac said he will be a team director.

“I’ll help where I can,” 84-year-old Andretti said, “(in) a non-executive role with the team, not involved in day-to-day operations because I don’t want a job, but offering advice, inspiration, friendship anywhere I can.

“I am beyond fortunate,” Mario added. “My first love was Formula 1 and now 70 years later the F1 paddock is still my happy place. To still be involved at this stage of my life I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming.”

Cadillac F1 will bring the pitlane up to eleven teams, and Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport thinks there could be even more expansion after that.

“The eleventh team could be followed by a twelfth in the next five years,” the magazine claims. “The regulations allow a maximum of 12 entries, and after the experience with Cadillac, Formula 1 does not want to rule out another applicant.

“Especially as it could be Toyota. In the next few years, Toyota will be Haas’ technical partner, and a factory team of its own could follow.”

—

Former Toyota F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sport1: “For me, the partnership with Toyota is a clear sign that Haas is for sale.”

He also told Sky Deutschland: “This could be the next step towards a big team. Toyota was already rumored to be close to getting back into it, but the teams were too expensive.

“Formula 1 is developing incredibly,” said the German. “It has become a cash cow. You earn a hell of a lot of money worldwide. And Toyota’s image hasn’t been particularly good recently.”