Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said his team has managed to ramp up production of several aerodynamic upgrades, which will allow the team to introduce the first progression package ahead of schedule.
Formula 1’s only American team underwent key adjustments over the winter when team owner Gene Haas opted to extend the contract of former team principal Guenther Steiner. Instead, the American promoted Ayao Komatsu as the team’s new leader. In addition, former technical director Simone Resta also left the Kannapolis-based team.
The Japanese have criticised the team’s expectations ahead of the new season, after a year in which Haas slipped to last place. However, Haas got off to an encouraging start to the 2024 F1 season, with Nico Hulkenberg taking the team’s first point. Saudi Arabia, while the U. S. team left Melbourne with a double score.
“During the preseason, I said I hoped we would be at the bottom of the group, or at the end,” Komatsu began. “I wasn’t being a sandbag when I said that because I had to assume that if we discovered a second team . . . As a smaller team, everyone would at least find the same, and in this game you can’t rely on who absolutely messes things up to achieve success.
“The check went well because we focused very well on the degradation of the functional tyres in the race, which paid off in the first three races, as you can see. There will be more tricky moments, but the way we’ve set up the car, the way we work together, with the drivers, it’s all positive.
Komatsu has shown that its team will manufacture the first VF-24 faster than expected.
“Looking ahead, we know there is a lot of work to be done. As for the VF-24’s progression, the direction is clear. Originally, we were going to make our first update a little later in the season, but our aerodynamic team did a good job. So we’re going to make updates as soon as possible, which is an update for the team. We’ve noticed some encouraging signs, so now we need to put it into practice on track. “
Komatsu began his Formula 1 career in 2003 as a tyre engineer for British American Racing and remained with the Brackley-based team for two seasons. In 2006, he joined Renault to work as a functional engineer, starting in the control team before being promoted to the race team alongside drivers such as Nelson Piquet Jr. , Romain Grosjean and Vitaly Petrov.
In 2011 he was promoted to race engineer at Petrov, racing with him for a year before teaming up with Grosjean again in 2012. Grosjean and Komatsu forged a close bond, scoring nine podiums and battling for race wins at the end of 2013. After a disappointing 2014, Komatsu was promoted to chief race engineer at Lotus, helping Grosjean and the Enstone team onto the podium at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix.
When Grosjean left for the fledgling Haas F1 team, Komatsu did the same, as the American team’s director of track engineering in 2016. He now holds the position of team principal at the American team.
“Next week, Formula 1 will head to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, which I’m looking forward to for many reasons!I left Japan when I was 18 because I wanted to work in Formula 1, but I never imagined I would. Coming back as a team manager of one of the teams, no way!
How does your team manager end the day on the track?#HaasF1 #AusGP pic. twitter. com/Ua1hI39EMB
“Since taking on my new role as Team Principal, the most vital thing for me has been everyone’s well-being. Our 3 locations (in the US, UK and Italy) have been amazing. From the beginning, everyone was aligned and open to moving forward. Moving in a safe direction, on which we all agree.
“I think at the moment the team is in a smart position, which is clearly helped by the scoring issues, but it’s a motivating environment to work in and everyone knows our goals.
“MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is a family circle of passionate, highly professional professionals who deserve the most productive opportunities and are deeply unwavering with Haas. I know everyone reading this is also fiercely unwavering with Haas. We know we’re seen as the underdogs, but you’ve made the hard times bearable and the smart times even sweeter, so I’d like to thank you,” Komatsu added.
Engine Hood Design Philosophy: Ferrari vs Mercedes
Moving parts on the centerline of the pontoon car.
Mercedes dramatic sidepod overhaul at Bahrain test
The existing FIA can be found on the FIA website.
For more information on those rules and the previous ones, please refer to the F1 Technical Regulations section.