Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that his staff has managed to speed up the manufacturing of a number of aerodynamic upgrades which can permit the staff to introduce the first growth package deal earlier than planned.
Formula One’s sole American staff has gone by means of key adjustments over the winter as staff proprietor Gene Haas elected not to lengthen former staff principal Guenther Steiner’s contract. The American promoted Ayao Komatsu as new staff principal as a substitute. Moreover, former technical director Simone Resta additionally departed the Kannapolis-based outfit.
The Japanese talked down the staff’s expectations forward of the brand new season after a yr that noticed Haas slip down the order to final place. However, Haas have taken an encouraging begin to the 2024 F1 season, with Nico Hulkenberg taking the staff’s first level in Saudi Arabian whereas the American outfit left Melbourne with a double point-scoring end.
“Pre-season I said I was expecting us to be towards the back, or last,” began Komatsu. “I wasn’t sandbagging once I mentioned that as a result of I had to assume that if we have been discovering a second – because the smallest staff – everybody can be discovering not less than the identical, and on this sport you can’t depend on somebody fully messing it up to make your successes.
“Testing went well because we had a very good focus on race performance tire degradation, which is paying off in the first three races, as you can see. Harder times will come no doubt, but the way we set-up the car, the way we’re working together, working with the drivers, it’s all positive.”
Komatsu has confirmed that his staff will bring the first upgrades to the VF-24 earlier than planned.
“Looking ahead, we know there is a lot of work to be done. Regarding the development of the VF-24, the direction is clear. Originally, we were going to bring our first upgrade slightly later in the season, but our Aerodynamics team has been doing some solid work. So instead, we’re going to bring updates earlier, which is a change for the team. We’ve seen encouraging signs so we now need to prove it on-track.”
Komatsu started his profession in Formula One in 2003 as a tyre engineer for British American Racing, and caught with the Brackley staff for 2 seasons. In 2006 he moved to Renault to work as a efficiency engineer, beginning out on the take a look at staff earlier than being promoted to the race staff working with drivers corresponding to Nelson Piquet Jr., Romain Grosjean and Vitaly Petrov.
In 2011, he was promoted to Petrov’s race engineer, working with him for one yr earlier than partnering up with the returning Grosjean for 2012. Grosjean and Komatsu shaped an in depth bond, scoring 9 podium finishes and preventing for race wins on the finish of 2013. After a disappointing 2014, Komatsu was promoted to chief race engineer at Lotus, serving to Grosjean and the Enstone staff rating a podium on the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix.
When Grosjean left for the fledging Haas F1 Team, Komatsu adopted him, turning into trackside engineering director for the American outfit in 2016. He now fulfils the position of staff principal on the American staff.
“Next week Formula 1 travels to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, one I’m trying ahead to for a lot of causes! I left Japan once I was 18 years outdated as a result of I wished to work in Formula 1, however I by no means imagined I might come again as a Team Principal of one of many groups, no approach!
How does your Team Principal finish his day on the monitor? #HaasF1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Ua1hI39EMB
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 28, 2024
“I first got here again in knowledgeable capability to Suzuka in 2009 – 15 years in the past – as a Performance Engineer and I believed that was particular. When I bought this position, I didn’t actually cease to take into consideration the work I’ve finished up to this level, and I nonetheless don’t as my focus proper now could be the job at hand, nevertheless it’s been 30 years since I left Japan and that feels loopy. I don’t suppose till I retire – at possibly 95 or one thing – I’ll replicate on my journey, Formula 1 is just too fast-paced for that.
“Since beginning my new position as Team Principal, the most important factor for me has been everybody’s help. All three of our websites – the US, UK and Italy – have been wonderful. From the very starting, everybody has been aligned and open to transferring ahead in a sure path, one which all of us agree on.
“I feel proper now the staff is in a superb place – which is clearly helped by scoring factors – nevertheless it’s a motivating atmosphere to work in and everybody is aware of our aims.
“MoneyGram Haas F1 Team is a family, made up of passionate, high-skilled professionals who deserve the best opportunities and are deeply loyal to Haas. I know everyone reading this is also fiercely loyal to Haas. We know we’re considered the underdogs, but your support has made the hard times bearable, and makes the good times even sweeter, so I’d like to thank you,” Komatsu added.
