SUMMARY
- Ayao Komatsu nor expecting the Haas car to be fast in 2024
- Komatsu looks forward to developing after the season opener in Bahrain
Ever since Ayao Komatsu was named as the replacement for Guenther Steiner as the Haas team principal, he has received a lot of support from his colleagues and friends all around the F1 world. Since his new appointment, Komatsu gave his first interview addressing some key concerns regarding the team and Guenther.
With Ayao’s season debut as a team principal approaching, there are a lot of questions for him. So far the Haas F1 team has not been satisfactory for the owner, Gene Haas. However, Komatsu looks to change that and take a whole different approach when compared to Steiner. The Japanese team principal gave his first interview since his promotion.
Haas 2024 challenger not fast enough for Ayao Komatsu
Haas’ pace for the upcoming 2024 season is one of the most popular questions among the fans. Komatsu has given an answer to this question. He has made it clear that he does not expect the 2024 car to be very quick.
“For me, then the key is whatever the car in Bahrain, whatever problem we see, we try to understand it and then move from that point as a team.
“We are a small team, as you know. We’ve got to move as one – otherwise, we don’t stand a chance.
“To answer your question directly, it is [the 2024 car] a step forward. Is it good enough? No.
“But what we do from that point is how we can show that we can improve the team or not.”
🚨 | Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu on the 2024 car:
“To answer your question directly, it is a step forward.
“Is it good enough? No.”https://t.co/bvXRKpc7mS
— formularacers (@formularacers_) January 17, 2024
Given that Komatsu was just appointed as the team leader for Haas, it will take some time for his input and leadership to show results in the performance of the team. While he does not expect the 2024 car to be very strong, he will guide the team to use that car as a stepping stone to develop from.
After the season opener in Bahrain, they will have a better idea of where they stand on the grid. This will help them realize their strengths and weaknesses. From there, the direction the team can take will be clear for Komatso. Given that he is an experienced engineer, he will be able to help a lot in terms of engineering and development.
Ayao Komatsu not trying to replace Guenther Steiner’s character
Guenther Steiner was one of the most popular team principals in F1. However, he was not able to bring success to the Haas F1 team during his 10-year term as team principal. This led to Gene Haas doubting his capabilities with the team. Ayao Komatsu has given his take on the matter and how he plans to manage the team going forward.
“He’s a very different character, as you know, and he has got very different strengths and weaknesses to me. “I’m not trying to be someone else and Gene knows that and if Gene wanted a Guenther Steiner replacement in that way, he would have appointed somebody else.
Ayao Komatsu on Guenther Steiner’s character as a team principal:
“He’s a very different character, as you know, and he has got very different strengths and weaknesses to me.
“I’m not trying to be someone else and Gene knows that and if Gene wanted a Guenther Steiner…
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) January 18, 2024
“So I understand that Gene wants something different and I will try to be the best version of myself rather than trying to be somebody else.”
It sounds like Komatsu is not planning to become a popular personality on the Drive to Survive series. He will be himself and focus more on developing the cars and getting better results in the upcoming season. Their main target would be to get out of contention for the last place in the WCC. In doing so, they will be able to increase their prize money at the end of the season which they can reinvest on developments and infrastructure for the car.