Toyota

**Toyota**

## Season Results

Complete Formula One results for Toyota (UniONE CAREER Results only).

### **2017 (UniONE CAREER S4)**

Toyota bought out the financially struggling Force India at the close of the 2016 season. To reduce the cost of the buy out, Toyota agreed to use Mercedes-AMG Power Units for 2017, which the previous Force India team had already signed for. However, for the second half of the season, Toyota unveiled the TF117B - running a all new bespoke Toyota RVX-171H Power Unit. From the out, Toyota proved their new engine has outright pace, allowing Kamui Kobayshi to hold on to a Podium place at the Japanese Grand Prix.

### **2018 (UniONE CAREER S5)**

Toyota came into this season off the high on winning the 2018 Le Mans 24H, and had high expectations from their TF118. Toyota kept with their philosophy from 2017 and designed their car with low drag in mind. With the Japanese outfit still searching for that illusive first Grand Prix victory, many within the paddock were waiting to see if Toyota's 2018 challenger was a good as the team said it can be.

Hamilton would take the team's first ever race victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, holding off the Mercedes of Fernando Alonso. This thrust Hamilton right into the title picture in the early rounds of the Championship. Hamilton would go on to take back-to-back wins at the Belgian and Italian Grand Prix. This would promote Toyota ahead of Ferrari for fourth in the Constructor's standings. At the close of the team's home Grand Prix, they would break through the 200 points barrier, and close significantly on Red Bull for third.

The team would record another landmark in the first full season since returning at the Mexican Grand Prix, Kamui Kobayashi would lead home team mate Hamilton to record Toyota's first ever 1-2 finish in F1. Kobayashi also took fastest lap. This would bring the team to within 10 points of Red Bull going in to the final race. A 1-3 finish in the final race would see Toyota overhaul Red Bull by 10 points to seal third in the Championship.

### **2019 (UniONE CAREER S6)**

Toyota looked to build off an encouraging 2018 campaign, which saw the Japanese outfit finally become a serious front runner taking a number of victories. The team are showing signs that they have the car to beat in the early rounds, but focused on long runs during testing and are yet to show their outright pace.

Come the end of the Bahrain grand Prix, the team took the lead of the Constructor's Championship for the first time in their history in F1. An upgrade package for Azerbaijan would help Hamilton claim the race win, with Kobayashi third. Hamilton would also take victory at the race at Singapore. Hamilton was denied a third successive win by Schumacher. Two mediocre result would follow at Spain and France. Hamilton would take victory at the German Grand Prix, after Verstappen dropped out with an engine failure. Hamilton would dominate the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, topping all three practice sessions, taking pole and then the race win. He was denied a clean sweep as the Renault of Nico Hulkenberg scored the point for fastest lap.

The final four races of the season were cancelled, but Toyota still had their most successful season to date, both in terms of Championship position and points scored.

### **2020 & Purchase of Haas F1 Team (Season 7)**

Following the withdrawal of BMW from F1, Haas looked to also be out, due to a significant lack of funding. In 2016, Haas entered F1 with major backing from BMW to run as the junior team. However, when it all looked to be over for the American outfit, they were thrown a lifeline by Toyota. Merging the two teams into one, a majority of the jobs were saved, and those that weren't found refuge at the new team joining the new team on the grid for this coming season. The Toyota team itself would be the team to still operate, taking a 95% steak of the Haas team, with Haas sponsorship on the car, much in the way that BMW Sauber operated in the late 2000's. Some of the Haas personnel have stayed on in the major roles. Gunther Steiner would become the Team Principle of Toyota, as previous TP Otmar Saufnour has left the team. The TRD120 is in many ways just an evolution of their 2019 FT119, so the team should have a good understanding of how the car will perform and will allow the team to focus more towards the 2021 regulation changes.

The TRD120 had the perfect race debut. Both cars were on the front row, and controlled the race for an easy 1-2 finish. Matsushita picked up the point for fastest lap, allowing Toyota Haas to take maximum points. It was much the same in round 2, Hamilton took an easy pole and win, Matsushita worked passed both Renault cars to finish second. Hamilton made it three wins from three races at Brazil, with Matsushita finishing on the podium again in third.

It was business as usual for Hamilton at round 5 at Spain. Despite only qualifying third, he was up to second after the first lap. Following the Renault of Nico Hulkenberg for the early laps, Hamilton made a decisive move into turn one to take a lead he was to keep for the remainder of the race. Hamilton's win streak would be broken at the next race, finishing third at Monaco. Hamilton got back to winning ways at the Italian Grand Prix, dominating the whole weekend.

Hamilton went on to take a dominant win also at the Bahrain Grand Prix, leading home teammate Matsushita for a 1-2 finish.

Following the result of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Toyota Haas made history, winning the Constructor's Championship, and becoming the first fully fledged Japanese outfit to do so.

Heading into the final race at Japan, Tirowee was one point behind Hamilton. After qualifying, they were equal, as Tirowee took a point for third. In the early laps Tirowee was ahead of Hamilton, until the 2008 Champion made a daring move through 130R to move into a title winning position. A few laps later, Hamilton was caught up behind the Renault on Nico Hulkenberg, Tirowee used this opportunity to repass Hamilton into 130R. Both headed for the pits on that lap. Alfa Romeo put Tirowee on a set of Mediums to go to the ends, whilst Totoyta put Hamilton on a set of Hards. This ultimately proved to be the wrong decision from Toyota, as Hamilton struggled for pace on the white-walled tyres. To hammer it home, Sebastian Vettel in his final outing made a move on Hamilton into turn 1, it wasn't clean and Hamilton suffered substantial damage to his TRD120, but opted to run to the end of the race, as the car was structurally safe to do so. To compound his and Toyota's misery further, Max Verstappen in his Honda powered Red Bull lapped Hamilton on the final lap on his way to a dominant lights to flag victory. Hamilton had lead the Championship all season, but poor run of form, and Toyota struggling with reliability ultimately cost them the Driver's title.

### **2021 (Season 8)**

Defending Constructor's Champions Toyota look for another season towards the front of the pack. The team look to once again continue their incredible reliability record, with only 1 mechanical failure last season coming late in the season for Hamilton. Like most the other cars on the grid for 2021, the TRD121 is evolution not resolution. On one lap pace the cars look untouchable, much like last season, but look beatable over a stint.

After narrowly losing out on his second Championship title for the last three seasons, Lewis Hamilton is more motivated than ever to finally take his glory at the team he's helped raise from the ashes. Nobuharu Matsushita stays on as rear gunner. The Japanese driver proved he was something of a qualifying specialist last year, but will need to work on his race performances if he's to claim his first race victory in F1. F1's newest flying Finn Niko Kari remains the reserve driver for Toyota.

Round one would start poorly for the Japanese outfit. The team were experiencing electrical issues that was preventing the TRD121 running at full power. Whilst the issues were unlikely to lead to a race retirement, the calculated loss of performance was 0.5 seconds per lap. Hamilton and Matsushita had a decent race considering, but they were far away from the early season domination from 2020. Toyota's issues continued into round 2. Both drivers once again experiencing issues, but less so on Matsushita's car, with the Japanese driver finishing in 5th, whilst an ailing Hamilton could only manage 11th. Toyota again struggled in round 3. Matsushita finished lead car only in 7th, whilst Hamilton struggled with the persistent electrical issues finishing down in 15th. Further engine issues persisted in the Dutch Grand Prix, with Nobuharu Matsushita retiring early on with an engine failure.

Matsushita's day finally came at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Japanese driver took pole for the prestigious event. Team mate Hamilton completed a Toyota front row. Getting the better start, Matsushita controlled the pace ahead of Hamilton. A mid-race incident removed his nearest challengers and he was able to hold off a late charge from Fernando Alonso to take his first F1 win. Hamilton's Monaco Grand Prix was a race to forget. Starting second was as good as it got. Struggling to keep up with the pace of Matsushita, Hamilton found himself under pressure from both Alfa Romeos and Fernando Alonso. After the mid-race pit stop, Alonso, Hamilton and Tirowee came to blows in a collision at Sainte-Devote. After completing a whole lap with no front wing, he would later be involved in an incident with the AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly. His nightmare race came to an end two laps from the end with an engine failure.

The Italian Grand Prix has always been the ultimate test of engine performance. Toyota only came away from the race with 6 points. Both cars once again experiences technical issues and had to run on lower power modes to make the race distance.

Toyota appeared to turn a page at the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton and Matsushita locked out the front row, and easily had the pace to dominate in the race. However, Toyota's reliability issues hit once again for Lewis Hamilton, when the then race leader's engine imploded in dramatic fashion. Matsushita inherited the lead and would hold onto it to the end to secure the race victory.

Toyota ended a difficult and shortened season 5th.

### **Return to full works operation & 2022 Season (Season 9)**

Toyota come into 2022 with a statement of intent, buying out the remaining shares and becoming a full works entrant for the coming season, with Haas remaining as the team's title sponsor. Toyota have taken a similar approach to Alpine, with the design of the TRD122 taking on a more neutral philosophy. Where it differs from Alpine, is that Toyota don't appear to have any major upgrades planned within the first half of the season, suggesting the Japanese outfit are struggling to understand the new ground effect cars. To compound Toyota's difficulties, the engine freeze has forced the team to fast track their engine program, which has lead to the prominent electrical issues still being present. A basic package with a potentially unreliable Power Unit could create a perfect storm to condemn Toyota to the midfield.

By all means Toyota's 2021 season was below target, and the team's continued work and development of the TRD121 wasn't enough to convince 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton to re sign. Taking the place of the Brit is the feisty Dane, Kevin Magnussen. The most recent race winner and Monaco specialist aims to build towards his first title challenge. On the other side of the garage, with the 2021's breakout star and multiple race winner Nobuharu Matsushita also signed a new two year deal.

Niko Kari remains as the test and reserve driver, but Toyota have also shown interest in their Simulator driver Pietro Fittipaldi to step into a race seat if required. The fight behind the scenes could be just as, if not more intense than the one on track. Both of them will feature in an FP1 session throughout the season.

Despite early signs of struggle, Matsushita & Magnussen managed points finishes in the opening rounds. Toyota also ran Niko Kari in FP1 during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

For all the shortcomings of the TRD122, its engine power remained unmatched. The Italian Grand Prix, round 7, was the perfect place to show this. Nobuharu Matsushita found his form and had a race long battle with the Williams of Alexander Albon. The Japanese ultimately finished behind the Thai-Brit, but secured a much welcomes fifth.

There was a mass-pileup during the Belgian Grand Prix involving Matsushita. Most drivers made their one stop at the end of lap 10. Perez pitted for Hard tyres. At pit exit, his RB18 suffered a gearbox issue, as was stuck in second. The Mercedes behind of Russell plowed into Perez, shattering parts of the M13 all over the track. Unsighted drivers behind plowed into the wreckage. Russell, Gasly, Ocon, Albon and Matsushita all left behind their wrecked machines.

The four former would receive medical attention. The red flag was brought out, allowing Verstappen to hold the lead. Perez's fate wad sealed on the reconnaissance lap to the rolling restart, another gearbox issue holding the Mexican.

Kari returned to the grid at the French Grand Prix, in place of the injured Nobuharu Matsushita. The Finn had a decent qualifying, but the race was a different story. In intermediate conditions, Kari spun at turn 2 early on and dropped to last. Catching the AlphaTauri pairing by the time the crossover hit, Kari was then hit by Lawson when rejoining the circuit. This brought out the Safety Car, and forced Kari to pit for a puncture. Kari recovered well and finished the race a respectable 15th.

Imola returned to the calendar for the first time since 2006. The circuit played host to the second Wildcard points race of the season. . Toyota opted to retain Kari for the foreseeable future, as Matsushita's future was reevaluated. The Finn went on to top FP3. Both drivers finished inside the top 12 to boost Toyota's Constructor's effort.

#### **Signing Pascal Wehrlein**

Wehrlein was released by Mercedes when George Russell returned for the British Grand Prix. Toyota expressed interest in the German, following his inspired drive to 2nd at the Austrian Grand Prix. Wehrlein is contracted for the remainder of the season, partnering Kevin Magnussen. In his first outing, Wehrlein was out in Q1, lining up 16th for the race. A bad lap 1 saw the German 19th, but he gained places back at Gasly's and Stroll's expense. Wehrlein finished his first race in a new environment in 15th. Magnussen finished 12th.

Niko Kari returned at the Miami Grand Prix to replace Kevin Magnussen, as the Dane underwent hand surgery in preparation for the 2023 season.

Wehrlein went from 11th in his swansong for Toyota at Brazil. Matsushita returned for the final race, but was out in Q1. Toyota went against the grain and put Wehrlein on a two stop. The German made his first stop for Mediums at the end of lap 8. Wehrlein made his second stop for another set of Mediums at the end of lap 22, and was on a push for a top 12 finish in his final outing for Toyota. With a handful of laps to go, he made moves on Schumacher and Matsushita to secure the final point with 12th.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

Gene Haas purchases back the naming rights of the team that bares his name and regains a management position. Toyota announce they're set to exit F1 at the end of 2025. The TRD123 has been fully developed by Toyota, and will continue to be throughout the season. Haas has also purchased back 49% shares in the team in preparation for a 2026 overhaul.

Toyota appear to have better understood the current ground effect concept over the winter, and have taken inspiration from Ferrari's philosophy. Early times indicate the team to be a force within the midfield, looking to move forward as the season progresses.

Gene Haas was keen to retain Kevin Magnussen, after putting in consistent points finishes for Toyota last season. The Dane has fully recovered from a hand surgery that kept him away from the final three races last season.

With experience comes youth in Sergio Sette Camara. After losing his drive at Aston Martin, the 2019 F2 Champion embarks on a new journey with the Japanese outfit. The Brazilian will share the drive with Toyota's star driver Nobuharu Matsushita. The Japanese driver will compete in the Asian rounds of the Championship.

Despite showing his immense speed when he stood in for the injured Nobuharu Matsushita, Niko Kari remains in the third driver role.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Both drivers had a quiet race, making their way through the track blockage caused by Pierre Gasly, to deliver a 11th place finish for Sette Camara and 16th for Magnussen.

The cold temperatures for the British Grand Prix qualifying played to the strengths of Toyota with Sette Camara 5th and Magnussen 9th. Leclerc held on to first, with Sette Camara rocketing up to second. Sette Camara was pushing for glory and climbed all over the back of Leclerc's Ferrari, before making a move stick on lap 7. The Brazilian's glory was short lived, as on lap 8 the tyre wear kicked in early once again and the TRD123 was a sitting duck for Leclerc, Norris and Tirowee. Sergio Sette Camara passed the Aston Martin of Stroll for 9th on lap 16, but it's far from where the previous race leader wanted to be.

It was an extremely wet start to qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, but the sky was brightening up. Four big names were caught out in the transition from Wets to Inters at the end of Q1. The track was drying rapidly throughout Q2, but Inters was still the way to go. The track was just about dry enough at the end of Q3 for Softs, with last over the line having the best track conditions. Sette Camara lined up a season's best 5th, with Magnussen 11th. Changeable conditions returned for the race. All 20 drivers survived the opening lap without damage. The red flag was out on lap 5, as Carlos Sainz's day ended early, and Liam Lawson collected the Ferrari in the process. By the time the AlphaTauri and Ferrari had been cleared away, the sun was out and the track was dry.

17/18 remaining drivers were on Drys. Toyota made a catastrophic error and fitted the Brazilian's TRD123 with Inters. Sette Camara's excellent qualifying and opening laps had been wasted. The skies began to darken once more by lap 18. Schumacher brought out a second red flag on lap 29, when the German had an identical crash to Sainz. It wasn't the impact the 2019 Champion needed to make with Tirowee down the order. It was a four lap sprint to the end on Full Wets. Magnussen saved face for Toyota to finish 8th.

## Racing Record (UniONE CAREER Results Only)

Results on **bold**, indicate Championships won.