When you have Formula 1 drivers switching between their million-dollar race cars and calling something else “fantastic,” you know there’s something special happening. That’s exactly what went down at the Goodwood Festival of Speed when Haas F1 drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman got behind the wheel of Toyota’s most secretive project yet.
What Made These F1 Pros So Excited?
Picture this: two of the world’s most skilled drivers, who spend their weekends piloting 1,000-horsepower Formula 1 machines at 200+ mph, climbing out of a mystery car with huge grins on their faces. Ocon couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, saying “It was a lot of fun. It’s a fantastic car to drive, honestly… it’s incredibly fast, incredibly capable.”
But here’s the kicker – they weren’t just driving one car. Toyota brought two distinct prototypes to Goodwood, and both drivers got to experience something truly special. One appears to be a street-legal supercar that could become the Lexus LFR, while the other is a full-blown GT3 race car designed for professional motorsport.
The Story Behind Toyota’s Mystery Machines
Two Cars, One Vision
Toyota and Lexus have shared zero details about the cars; yes, plural. One is believed to be a road-going vehicle called the Lexus LFR, while the other could be a GT3-spec race car from Toyota. This dual approach isn’t accidental – it’s part of a completely new philosophy for Toyota’s performance division.
You see, Toyota learned some hard lessons with their previous race car attempts. Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson explained that their current RC F GT3 race car was designed as an “afterthought,” and that proved problematic. “What we’ve all come to learn is that’s not the way you bring a GT3 car to market. Before you put your first line on paper, you decide you’re going to race that car, and that shapes the design parameters, the performance parameters of that production car.”
The Heart of the Beast
While Toyota remains tight-lipped about specifications, the rumor mill is working overtime. Both vehicles are believed to share a newly developed twin-turbo V-8, with the subsequent Lexus expected to pack as much as 900 horsepower, while its race car sibling is expected to have less due to output limitations in the GT3 class.
That’s not just impressive on paper – it’s a complete departure from the naturally aspirated V10 that powered the legendary LFA. The move to turbocharged hybrid technology shows Toyota is serious about competing with modern supercars while meeting today’s efficiency standards.
What the F1 Drivers Really Thought
Ocon’s Take: Pure Driving Joy
Esteban Ocon, who’s raced for Alpine and now drives for Haas, doesn’t mince words when it comes to driving experiences. His verdict on the road car was clear: “It was a lot of fun. It’s a fantastic car to drive, honestly… But honestly, it’s incredibly fast, incredibly capable, and a big thank you to Toyota for trusting us driving these beasts today.”
Coming from someone who regularly pilots one of the most advanced racing machines on the planet, that’s high praise indeed. When an F1 driver calls your car “incredibly capable,” you know you’re onto something special.
Bearman’s Perspective: Racing DNA Shines Through
Ollie Bearman, the young British driver making his mark in Formula 1, got to experience both versions and had fascinating insights about their differences. He explained: “Yesterday, I got to try the road-going version. The GT is definitely a bit faster, but both amazing cars in their own right. [The GT] car is really more suited to a track like this… But with the GT car, it really – that track comes alive, and I really, really enjoyed it.”
This gives us a glimpse into Toyota’s strategy – they’re not just building one car and hoping it works for different purposes. They’re creating purpose-built machines that excel in their intended environments.
The Haas Connection: More Than Just a Test Drive
Why F1 Drivers Are Involved
You might wonder why Haas F1 drivers are testing Toyota cars when their race cars use Ferrari engines. The answer lies in a strategic partnership that could reshape both companies’ futures. In October 2024, the F1 team entered a technical partnership with Gazoo Racing, Toyota’s motorsport and sports car division. Toyota is now an “Official Technical Partner” of Haas, with Gazoo Racing providing support in design, aerodynamics, technical expertise, and manufacturing.
This isn’t just a marketing stunt – it’s a genuine technical collaboration. GR drivers, mechanics, and engineers are actively participating in tests conducted by the F1 team. This cross-pollination of expertise is exactly what makes Toyota’s new supercar project so exciting.
The LFA Legacy Lives On
Learning from the Past
The original Lexus LFA was a masterpiece that took nearly a decade to develop. The development of the LFA, codenamed TXS, began in early 2000, with the first prototype completed in June 2003. While it was technically brilliant, it was also expensive and produced in limited numbers.
If it’s indeed a Lexus LFR, it would become the brand’s spiritual successor to the LFA. But this time, Toyota seems determined to make it more accessible while maintaining the performance credentials that made the LFA legendary.
Modern Performance Philosophy
The production version of the sports coupe is expected to arrive as a spiritual successor to the Lexus LFA, with Toyota’s GR division developing the car from the ground up with motorsports in mind. This racing-first approach is already paying dividends – our spy photographer reported that the prototype is already lapping the Nürburgring in under eight minutes.
What’s Next for Toyota’s Supercar Dream?
Racing First, Road Second
The GT3-spec car is expected to join the FIA World Endurance Championship grid starting next season, but the road version’s future is less clear. However, racing regulations actually work in our favor here. GT3 homologation rules say the race car must be based on a road car that is available at the time of homologation.
This means we should see the production Lexus LFR revealed very soon, possibly as early as 2026. The racing version needs a road car foundation, so Toyota can’t keep this secret much longer.
The Sound of Success
One thing that’s already clear from the Goodwood appearance is that this car sounds incredible. The exhaust heard in the video seems to confirm the rumors of a hybrid twin-turbo V-8. While it won’t have the screaming naturally aspirated V10 of the LFA, the new engine note promises to be just as memorable.
Why This Matters for Car Enthusiasts
A New Chapter for Lexus Performance
It’s been a while since the brand has had a truly competitive, dedicated performance car. The limited-run LFA left production in 2012. The LC500 is beautiful but more of a grand tourer, while the RC F never quite lived up to its aggressive looks.
The LFR represents Lexus’s return to serious performance territory, backed by real racing pedigree and F1-level engineering expertise. When Formula 1 drivers are genuinely impressed by your prototype, you know you’re on the right track.
Technology That Trickles Down
The hybrid V8 technology being developed for this supercar won’t stay exclusive to the LFR. Toyota has a history of using its halo cars to develop technologies that eventually make their way into more affordable models. This project could influence the next generation of Toyota and Lexus performance cars across the lineup.
The Bottom Line
When two Formula 1 drivers swap their usual rides for a mystery prototype and come away talking about how “fantastic” and “incredibly capable” it is, you know something special is brewing. Toyota’s secretive supercar project isn’t just about building another fast car – it’s about proving that the company can compete with the best in the world.
The combination of racing-derived technology, hybrid efficiency, and that unmistakable Toyota reliability could make the Lexus LFR a game-changer when it finally arrives. And based on what Ocon and Bearman experienced at Goodwood, it’s going to be worth the wait.
The automotive world is watching, and if the F1 drivers’ reactions are any indication, Toyota is about to remind everyone why they’re one of the most successful manufacturers in racing history.