Toyota separates Toyota Gazoo Racing into two entities

In a significant restructuring announced on January 7, 2026, Toyota has effectively split its renowned Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) motorsport and performance division into two distinct entities, marking a return to roots while sharpening focus on different aspects of racing and car development.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The flagship TOYOTA GAZOO Racing brand is reverting to simply Gazoo Racing (GR), dropping the “Toyota” prefix to emphasize its founding principles of pushing limits through motorsport to create “ever-better cars” and foster talent. This change aims to recapture the original spirit of humility and challenge that drove Akio Toyoda (racing under the alias Morizo) and the late master driver Hiromu Naruse when they began competing at the Nürburgring in 2007 under the “Team GAZOO” banner—without official Toyota backing at the time.

Meanwhile, Toyota’s European operations in Cologne, Germany—previously known as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe GmbH—have been renamed TOYOTA RACING GmbH. This entity will focus on advanced technological development, particularly in high-level endurance racing. Starting in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the team will compete under the Toyota Racing banner, fielding the updated TR010 HYBRID Hypercar (evolved from the GR010 HYBRID).

TR010 HYBRID Hypercar. Image provided by Toyota Racing

The separation allows Gazoo Racing to concentrate on production-based motorsports, such as the World Rally Championship (WRC), customer racing programs (like the GR Yaris Rally2 and GR Supra GT4), and developing in-house sports cars like the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and upcoming GT models. Toyota Racing, on the other hand, will specialize in cutting-edge prototype racing and long-term tech advancements, including engine development.

Logo transitions will roll out gradually, with full implementation by January 2027. For 2026, some programs (like WRC) will remain under Toyota Gazoo Racing as a transition year.

This move underscores Toyota’s commitment to motorsport as a crucible for innovation, with Gazoo Racing embodying the passionate, grassroots drive for better road cars, while Toyota Racing handles the high-tech, factory-backed endurance efforts. The changes come as Toyota prepares for an exciting 2026 season across multiple championships.