F1 fans back surprising contender to make grand prix return

After Toyota recently announced its technical alliance with the Haas F1 team, RacingNews365 ran a poll asking fans which global manufacturer they would like to see enter grand prix racing.

Toyota's is not an official return as it is not designing the chassis or a power unit, but rather it wants a grounding in F1 to allow it to develop engineers and drivers, with the company having no F1 experience since its 2009 withdrawal. 

With that in mind, Toyota was listed as one of the options in the RN365 poll, but it was another of the class of the 2009 exodus that surprisingly came out on top. 

Some 29.81% of respondents to the poll indicated that it was BMW they would like to see enter grand prix racing again. Along with Toyota, it withdrew after the global financial crash. 

It does have a sportscar programme, but F1 has not been high on its priority list.

In second place was General Motors with some 25.28% of the ballots, with the Cadillac brand part of the proposed Andretti entry that F1 has blocked.

A door remains open for 2028 should GM be able to provide a works power unit, with Toyota itself receiving 18.87% for a full works return. 

Elsewhere, Hyundai (10.19%) and Stellantis (including brands such as Alfa Romeo, Citreon, Lancia and Maserati) garnered just 6.42%.

Porsche was not listed as an option due to the Volkswagen Group entering F1 with sister brand Audi in 2026, but that did not stop one reader from putting the brand forward.

"Toyota should step up to do engines, but a nice soft start with Haas now," wrote Zeffy.

"Porsche should have done engines with Red Bull while they had the chance, but failed."

Fellow user MJVerstappen70 also backed a Toyota or GM bid but warned against the number of customers using Mercedes power units.

Currently, it is McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin. Alpine is set to replace Aston in 2026.