Toyota’s Formula 1 identity spans two distinct eras: the original works team that competed from 2002 to 2009, and the current title partnership with Haas F1 Team under the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) brand. The visual identity has evolved from a dedicated F1 emblem to a unified motorsport brand applied across multiple racing disciplines.
Design and History
The original Toyota F1 logo was unveiled on September 12, 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show by Akihiko Saito, then Executive Vice President of Toyota Motor Corporation responsible for motorsports activities. The emblem was designed as a square-format mark built around the letter “T” for Toyota, with the left side forming the number “1” to represent Formula 1 and first place, and the right side forming a “V” for victory alongside the letter “F” for Formula 1, which also suggested a flame to express passion for motorsport. [1] [2]
The team competed as Panasonic Toyota Racing, a name confirmed in July 2001 when Matsushita signed a five-year title sponsorship agreement. The race cars carried Toyota’s corporate colors of red and white, with the Panasonic logo on the sides and rear wing. [3] [4]
Following the team’s exit from F1 after the 2009 season, Toyota consolidated its motorsport activities. In April 2015, Toyota Racing, Lexus Racing and GAZOO Racing were unified under the GAZOO Racing banner. [5] On February 4, 2016, Toyota Motor Corporation unveiled a new Toyota Gazoo Racing logo at its annual motorsports press conference, alongside a unified black, white and red color scheme for all Toyota competition vehicles in the WRC, WEC, Nürburgring 24 Hours and Japanese Rally Championship. [6] [7]
In December 2025, Haas F1 Team announced that Toyota Gazoo Racing would become its title partner for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, with the team officially titled TGR Haas F1 Team. [8] Ahead of the 2026 season, Haas added TGR to its logo, with the Toyota Gazoo Racing mark placed front and center, sharing the established red, white and black colors of both brands. [9]
Meaning and Symbolism
The 2001 Toyota F1 emblem carried multiple layered meanings within a single mark. The overall shape represented the letter “T” for Toyota. The top and left portions formed the number “1,” referencing both Formula 1 and the ambition of first place, while also expressing speed. The left and right parts together formed a “V” for victory, and the right portion represented the letter “F” for Formula 1, doubling as a flame to convey passion. [1] [2]
The 2016 Toyota Gazoo Racing logo was introduced with a unified black, white and red color scheme applied across all Toyota racing vehicles, creating a consistent visual identity for the brand’s global motorsport activities. [6]
Typography and Design
The 2016 Toyota Gazoo Racing logo is a horizontal lockup combining the Toyota emblem with the “GAZOO Racing” wordmark. The official logo asset released by Toyota measures 1,433 by 444 pixels, reflecting its wide horizontal format. [10] The designer of the logo has not been publicly documented.
In January 2026, Toyota announced that the motorsport brand would revert from “TOYOTA GAZOO Racing” to its original name “GAZOO Racing,” with the logo change scheduled to be implemented progressively from January 2027. [11]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
