Haas’ new partnership with Toyota that begins in Austin is a “clear sign” that the American team is “for sale”, says Ralf Schumacher.

Haas and Toyota announced on Friday that Toyota Gazoo Racing, the Japanese company’s motorsport competition arm, would become Haas’ official technical partner in a multi-year deal.

The deal effectively brings Toyota back to the F1 grid from the next race of 2024, the United States Grand Prix, with Toyota Gazoo president Tomoya Takahashi describing it as “competing” alongside Haas.

While the F1 team will benefit from Toyota’s resources in the form of design, technical, and manufacturing services, including using their simulator expertise and wind tunnel, Haas will give Toyota Gazoo access to their F1 team with drivers, engineers and mechanics participating in Haas’ TPC [testing of a previous car] outings.

But while the new partnership will have no impact on Haas’ current relationship with Ferrari, who supply the American team with engines and other parts for the car, it is expected to grow in the coming years at Toyota Gazoo personnel will be involved in aerodynamics development.

Toyota though, were adamant there’s no background talk about becoming an engine supplier or even running a team, which they last did back in 2009.

TGR’s general manager of motorsport engineering, Masaya Kaji, told the media including PlanetF1.com: “We have no plan to enter power unit supply, at this moment.

“Actually, we have no plan to have a team in F1. At this moment, we have the best choice and best option to collaborate with Haas.”

That, though, is not the feeling former F1 driver turned pundit Ralf Schumacher is getting.

“For me,” he told SPORT1, “the partnership with Toyota is a clear sign that Haas is for sale.”

He reckons Toyota through the Haas partnership are therefore gaining the level of know-how they need.

“It is now important for Toyota to change their engineering philosophy,” he added. “In my time they always rotated their technicians from department to department. But in Formula 1 you need experts in every field and not people who know a little about everything.

“Then I have a lot of confidence in Toyota. Because the financial resources are there.”