Haas crew principal Ayao Komatsu is assured the VF-24 is displaying all-around efficiency potential and so the crew doesn’t have to make trade-offs to enhance its competitiveness.
The opening three races have seen Haas rating a degree in Saudi Arabia by Nico Hulkenberg after which with each vehicles in ninth and 10nth final day trip in Australia. Whereas each vehicles began effectively outdoors the highest 10 within the final race earlier than climbing into the factors, Komatsu doesn’t imagine there must be a deal with qualifying efficiency with the 2024 automotive, after the other was true final yr.
“The race tempo is healthier than qualifying tempo, however that’s actually circuit particular,” Komatsu stated. “That’s why after I was requested, ‘Do you assume your tire drawback is over?’ I actually didn’t wish to decide it till we’ve executed the minimal of 4 races. Once more in Melbourne, with qualifying and the race, it’s a extra entrance limitation, in order that presents you with a barely completely different image.
“Suzuka as the subsequent race, with that high-speed Sector 1, that’s going to current you with completely different issues as effectively. So I don’t assume we then have to instantly focus on the qualifying efficiency, however by way of weak point of our automotive it’s fairly clear, and if we are able to enhance that I imagine it’s going to enhance each qualifying and race efficiency. I don’t assume we’re speaking a few trade-off, actually.”
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One of many primary areas Komatsu desires to see Haas enhance is in high-speed corners, and he says the crew has an understanding of what it wants to focus on.
“The massive query is how will we obtain that? It’s fairly clear what course we have to develop the automotive, however do now we have the potential to truly obtain that goal? That’s but to be seen,” he admitted. “However we’ve acquired good folks, so I’m positive we are able to.”
Whereas Haas has proven strongly within the races, it’s had to take action from effectively again on the beginning grid. Glenn Dunbar/Motorsport Photos
Komatsu returns to his dwelling grand prix in Japan as a crew principal for the primary time, and whereas acknowledging the importance, he expects a difficult weekend for the crew.
“Actually, I left Japan 30 years in the past — in 1994 — and by no means thought I might come again as a crew principal! So it’s going to be particular,” Komatsu stated.
“It’s going to be robust [in terms of performance] I feel. In case you take a look at our high-speed efficiency, it was already clear in Bahrain — Flip 6 and Flip 7 — Jeddah Sector 1 in qualifying, [Melbourne] Flip 9/10, Flip 6, Flip 12, we’re not good. Sector 1 might need a couple of high-speed corners in Suzuka! In order that can be robust, however we are going to strive our greatest in fact.”
