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Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda revealed that Ryo Hirakawa's Formula 1 debut at the Mexico City Grand Prix fulfilled a long-held dream he had harboured since the Japanese manufacturer withdrew from the sport 17 years ago.
Following Toyota's departure from the world championship in 2009, Toyoda made it his mission to carve out a path back to the F1 grid for drivers developed through the company's racing programme. That opportunity arrived unexpectedly when Haas issued an emergency call-up for Hirakawa to replace Esteban Ocon for the remainder of the Mexican race weekend.
"I wanted to see a Toyota driver back in Formula 1. That was a dream I quietly kept in my heart for 17 whole years," Toyoda said in an official statement released by Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The technical partnership between the Japanese automotive giant and the American Haas outfit had already opened doors for tests and Friday free practice outings for Japanese talent. After completing FP1 on Friday, Hirakawa received the call on Saturday morning to step into the car for FP3, qualifying, and Sunday's Grand Prix.
"And now, 17 years after 2009, that day has finally come. A Toyota driver took part in a Formula 1 race. I could not be happier that it was Ryo Hirakawa," the Japanese executive added.
The Japanese driver faced a daunting task with virtually no preparation for a complete race weekend. He had to quickly get up to speed in Haas's 2026 challenger, deliver in qualifying, and manage full race distance on Sunday. Hirakawa took the chequered flag in 12th place on track, but post-race penalties for Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto promoted him to 10th, securing a maiden point on his F1 debut.
Toyoda praised Hirakawa's relentless work ethic and dedication, noting how the driver stayed sharp and ready despite the uncertainty of ever landing such an opportunity. He recalled advising Hirakawa to pursue what makes him happy after an earlier attempt to secure a permanent F1 seat fell through.
"Even so, Ryo never stopped preparing. He stayed in peak physical condition and was ready to give his absolute all if a chance ever came, even though no one knew when or if that moment would arrive," Toyoda noted.
The Toyota chairman also expressed his gratitude to team owner Gene Haas, team principal Ayao Komatsu, and all the engineers and mechanics for placing their trust in Hirakawa. At the same time, he made it clear that the manufacturer's ambitions extend well beyond a single cameo appearance.
"The first step was scoring points. The next step is getting onto the podium," Toyoda stated firmly.
While Toyoda stopped short of promising another outing for Hirakawa or hinting at a full factory return for Toyota, his message was unmistakable: the collaboration with Haas will continue to open doors. While it remains unclear when Hirakawa might next feature, the events in Mexico have shifted the conversation from whether a Toyota driver can return to Formula 1 to just how far they can go.
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