New Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has set his team the target of eight place in the championship for his first season in charge.
Team owner Gene Haas selected Komatsu as Guenther Steiner’s replacement earlier this year. As the former chief race engineer and director of engineering, Komatsu says his technical background means his leadership style will be different to Steiner’s.
“I guess it’s a very different dynamics compared to my predecessor,” Komatsu said.
“Another thing is that I know the team, I know the people, the strengths and weaknesses, and we understand each other. So I think we’ve got a very good base to start off with.
“Last year our biggest issue was of course on the technical side. I understand why we couldn’t make the improvement – at least I think I do at the moment. So I’m just trying to do everything possible with the guys here to really improve on that.”
Haas head into the new season having finished last in the championship twice in the last three years. Their rise to eighth in 2022, the first year under new technical regulations, proved a false dawn.
Komatsu says he is targeting a return to that position in his first season in charge, but recognises the challenge that represents for his team.
“In terms of the championship, we don’t want to be P10, of course,” he said. “We’d like to be in P8, to start off with. But of course that means we have to beat two teams, right? So who are we going to beat?
“So more than just the championship target, I think it’s very important we pull together as one, as a team, and move forward and make incremental improvements. So that’s what I’m looking for.”
Komatsu’s team completed more laps in this week’s pre-season test in Bahrain than any of its rivals. Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen covered 2,386km between them – almost eight grand prix distances – over the three days. Komatsu said he was encouraged by the team’s early showing.
“Our race simulations show that yes, we’ve got lots more work to do, but at the same time we’ve got a base car that we can actually race,” he said.
“Considering the qualifying performance, we haven’t worked on it at all – Friday was our first time looking at it – but again, it was decent. We’ve had a very good start to the season with all this preparation in testing. I’m very happy and my thanks to everyone on the team.”
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and
Formula 1
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…