In the course of the Chinese language Grand Prix, we met with Ayao Komatsu, the brand new Haas crew principal, who changed Guenther Steiner for the 2024 F1 season. Komatsu has over 20 years of expertise in Components 1, having beforehand managed the engineering division as Chief Race Engineer and subsequently Director of Engineering.
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He has been working at Haas since 2016. We talked with him in regards to the basic adjustments he has carried out throughout the crew, how engineering data and expertise assist him in his new place, the fashionable picture of a Staff Principal in Components 1, and Haas’s plans for 2024.
Jastina Golopolosova: Good day Ayao! You’ve gotten simply returned from your house Japanese Grand Prix; inform us the way you felt about your new standing as a Staff Principal. How did the Japanese viewers obtain you?
Ayao Komatsu: Good day! It was an extremely heat welcome. On Thursdays in Japan, we at all times get a superb turnout for the pit stroll. However this 12 months, the help was overwhelming. I used to be there for an hour and a half, however I nonetheless needed to escape [laughs]. The fervour and enthusiasm of the Japanese viewers for Components 1 is really inspiring, and I’m grateful for his or her help. It’s a testomony to the love for this sport.
J.G.: Wow! That’s great! After 4 races, the crew’s drivers have scored factors 3 times, and in Japan, Nico Hulkenberg completed close to the factors zone. Haas is at present in seventh place within the Constructors’ Cup. Are you glad with how the crew has began the season?
A.Ok.: Sure and no. Sure, if anyone requested me, after 4 races firstly of the season, I might have taken it if we scored factors in two races. So, what we’re reaching as a sporting result’s higher than anticipated earlier than we run the automobile within the Bahrain take a look at. So I’m glad in that approach. I’m not proud of the truth that we now have but to actually have an ideal race. After all, as a race crew, we wish to maximise the whole lot. If the automobile’s quick sufficient for P11, we should always get P11. We must always get a podium if the automobile’s quick sufficient for the rostrum. For example, in Japan, we should always have gotten P10. If Niko had a greater begin for the restart and Kevin had a greater pit cease, then we should always have at the least been combating for that P10 place with Tsunoda till the very finish. I actually felt that was one level misplaced. That was the distinction that might hang-out us later within the 12 months. Now, in opposition to RB, we’re three factors behind. But when we had completed P10 in Japan, there would have been just one level distinction. However there’s no margin, tiny margin on this midfield battle. So yeah, we have to be excellent in our operation and execution, however that’s what we’re striving for.
J.G.: Thanks for sharing this. Establishing a cohesive crew construction is significant for long-term success in Components 1. May you delve into the elemental adjustments you’ve carried out inside Haas and your method to administration?
A.Ok.: I assume, trying on the technical organisation restructure. If we have a look at our shortcomings from the earlier years, it’s properly documented that we haven’t been capable of put upgrades on the automobile in a season that works, which is but to be seen this 12 months. Nevertheless, an organisational construction that makes positive that no matter we see on the trackside and evaluation popping out from the automobile operating on a observe will translate into the work we’re doing again on the manufacturing facility. So we restructured in that space and put the appropriate individuals in the appropriate place. In order that’s key.
When it comes to philosophy, it’s actually defining the clear goal and the technique to go along with it after which speaking that technique to the remainder of the corporate simply to verify all people is aware of what our goal is that this 12 months, how we’re planning to attain it, and the way we’re going to enhance the automobile all through the season. So yeah, these two key issues are the technical organisation restructure and the important thing communication messages.
J.G.: Thanks for such an in depth rationalization. How do your engineering expertise contribute to your new position?
A.Ok.: One space for enchancment was the technical facet of issues. Final 12 months, we had a basic automobile problem that resulted in an unlimited tyre degradation within the race that we couldn’t resolve all through the season, and we couldn’t actually improve the automobile. Figuring out that was the primary limitation, it does assist that my background is technical. I’m not doing it on my own; I’m not an aerodynamicist; I’m not a designer, so I’ve a succesful technical director, a succesful chief designer, head of aero, chief aero, and so forth. I’ve succesful individuals, however with my background, I can perceive what they’re speaking about. If I wanted to make some judgment name concerning once we produce what, my background would assist.
It’s crucial that you just develop the group at a sustainable tempo, which is what I’m concentrating on.
Ayao Komatsu
Staff Principal, Haas F1 Staff
J.G.: What ought to be the fashionable picture of a Components 1 Staff Principal? Ought to he have distinctive technical data or expertise?
A.Ok.: It actually will depend on the crew. Nobody mannequin fits each organisation. So, should you have a look at our crew and the way the Haas crew is ready up in comparison with Mercedes or Crimson Bull, there’s no level in evaluating them. So, whenever you have a look at these completely different crew constructions, every crew most likely wants a distinct crew principal. So, what, let’s say, Sauber want may be very completely different from what the Haas F1 crew wants. So, there isn’t a single reply that this ought to be the mannequin for the crew principal. Each crew is completely different.
J.G.: Talking about drivers, How do you intend to contain the drivers extra successfully within the means of refining the VF-24?
A.Ok.: Sure, that’s a key level, actually. Even final 12 months, they have been giving us wonderful suggestions. Each drivers all through the season; the failure was that we weren’t capable of have a programme that was coherent when it comes to a growth programme to what the motive force was feeling within the automobile. However in fact, I used to be experiencing that, seeing that final 12 months. So this 12 months, a part of the issues of this technical organisation, this construction, and the issues I stated about communication are make sure that we hearken to our drivers as a result of our drivers are very, excellent when it comes to feeling the automobile, giving us technical suggestions about how the automobile ought to behave, how we should always develop the automobile. So if our engineers who’re growing the automobile, both you might be an aerodynamicist, designer, or automobile efficiency man, understood that key message from our two drivers, then I’m positive we are able to develop the automobile accurately. So sure, two drivers are an important half, and they’re enjoying their half very, very properly.
J.G.: Talking in regards to the crew, does it come up with the money for to develop and develop, or does it lack monetary assets?
A.Ok.: I feel the important thing you stated was to develop and develop. So, the crew must develop, but it surely’s a step-by-step. So, in the beginning, we now have what we are able to do a greater job. That’s what we’re aiming to do. However issues have to be in parallel, proper? So, as we enhance our operational effectivity with what we now have, Gene, our proprietor, is already investing within the crew when it comes to an enormous recruitment drive for motorhome. So that’s getting into parallel. If Gene hadn’t invested in any respect, proper? Sure, we are able to nonetheless enhance our effectivity and get a greater place, however Gene is already seeing sufficient progress that provides him confidence that this crew is now functioning higher. After all, with the present setting, we are able to enhance extra, however Gene has already determined to take a position a major quantity when it comes to recruitment. So it’s very optimistic that we are able to do it concurrently. And, in fact, development is important, however the development fee can be vital. For those who develop too shortly, you lose management. Issues fall over, disintegrate. It’s important that you just develop the organisation at a sustainable tempo, which is what I’m concentrating on.
J.G.: And whenever you obtained your promotion, did Gene Haas offer you any recommendation?
A.Ok.: In Gene’s phrases, the transient was apparent: enhance the automobile’s efficiency. You understand, we have been P10 final 12 months. That’s not the place Gene desires to be, and it’s completely different from the place all people desires to be. So, you already know, in Gene’s phrases, he was embarrassed about it. At the beginning, my transient was that we have to have a look at the automobile’s efficiency and get off the grid. So, yeah, that message is obvious.
CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – OCTOBER 21: Ayao Komatsu, Chief Engineer, Haas F1 Staff and Gene Haas, Proprietor and Founder, Haas F1 Staff throughout the US GP at Circuit of the Americas on Saturday October 21, 2023 in Austin, United States of America. (Photograph by Andy Hone / LAT Pictures)
J.G.: Going again to the present weekend in China, the race in Shanghai will probably be held right here for the primary time with the brand new rules that have been launched a number of years in the past, plus there will probably be a dash race. How do you assess Haas’s probabilities on this observe, and to what extent can the automobile be tailored to it?
A.Ok.: Yeah, it’s advantageous when it comes to circuit traits. After I say advantageous, it’s as a result of we’ve completed 4 quick races on very completely different tracks. Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, and Suzuka. And Suzuka being actually the worst one for our automobile, however we have been capable of put a good efficiency in Suzuka as properly. So right here, all being advantageous, we should always have the ability to put in a good efficiency as properly. However for me, the primary factor is that this observe floor appears very inconsistent. So, it hasn’t been pushed a lot in any respect, proper? And, in fact, we’ve acquired the climate circumstances as properly. So then, being a dash weekend, that’s the stress. You’ve solely acquired one hour to type your automobile out. So we should begin the automobile on the correct setup. However actually, I feel I must see what the observe grip degree situation is. And when it comes to consistency, it appears tough. In order that’s one of many largest challenges.
J.G.: I see. Good luck with this. What are Haas’s common targets for 2024?
A.Ok.: It has stayed the identical from the start of the 12 months. Though we’re P7 within the championship proper at this minute, within the historical past of the home, we now have by no means been capable of match different rivals’ goal growth and growth progress all through the season. In order that’s one of many targets this 12 months. So, P8 continues to be a really aggressive goal from the place we come from. In order that’s what we’re concentrating on. However in fact, we’re not going to present away sevens simply. After all, we’re attempting to attempt in direction of P6. But when we obtain P8 on the finish of the 12 months, we’ve completed an excellent job.
J.G.: Nice! However do you proceed speaking with Guenther Steiner, the previous crew principal? He just lately visited the paddock.
A.Ok.: Thus far, I’ve been flat out with the present organisation. I haven’t had an opportunity to satisfy him, however I’m positive I’ll see him in Miami. He’s coming to Miami as an envoy, proper? So yeah, perhaps I’ll see him there.
J.G.: Okay, thanks a lot, Ayao! It was a pleasure speaking to you!
A.Ok.: Identical, thanks.
