Haas to bring their first aerodynamic upgrade earlier than planned

Haas Crew Principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that his group has managed to speed up the manufacturing of a number of aerodynamic upgrades which can permit the group to introduce the primary growth bundle sooner than deliberate.

Method One’s sole American group has gone by key modifications over the winter as group proprietor Gene Haas elected to not prolong former group principal Guenther Steiner’s contract. The American promoted Ayao Komatsu as new group principal as an alternative. Furthermore, former technical director Simone Resta additionally departed the Kannapolis-based outfit.

The Japanese talked down the group’s expectations forward of the brand new season after a yr that noticed Haas slip down the order to final place. Nevertheless, Haas have taken an encouraging begin to the 2024 F1 season, with Nico Hulkenberg taking the group’s first level in Saudi Arabian whereas the American outfit left Melbourne with a double point-scoring end.

“Pre-season I mentioned I used to be anticipating us to be in the direction of the again, or final,” began Komatsu. “I wasn’t sandbagging once I mentioned that as a result of I needed to assume that if we have been discovering a second – because the smallest group – everybody could be discovering at the least the identical, and on this sport you can’t depend on somebody utterly messing it as much as make your successes.

“Testing went properly as a result of we had an excellent give attention to race efficiency tire degradation, which is paying off within the first three races, as you possibly can see. More durable instances will come little doubt, however the way in which we set-up the automobile, the way in which we’re working collectively, working with the drivers, it’s all optimistic.”

Komatsu has confirmed that his group will carry the primary upgrades to the VF-24 sooner than deliberate.

“Wanting forward, we all know there’s a number of work to be carried out. Concerning the event of the VF-24, the route is obvious. Initially, we have been going to carry our first improve barely later within the season, however our Aerodynamics group has been performing some strong work. So as an alternative, we’re going to carry updates earlier, which is a change for the group. We’ve seen encouraging indicators so we now must show it on-track.”

Komatsu started his profession in Method One in 2003 as a tyre engineer for British American Racing, and caught with the Brackley group for 2 seasons. In 2006 he moved to Renault to work as a efficiency engineer, beginning out on the take a look at group earlier than being promoted to the race group working with drivers akin 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 fashioned a detailed bond, scoring 9 podium finishes and combating 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 group rating a podium on the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix.

When Grosjean left for the fledging Haas F1 Crew, Komatsu adopted him, changing into trackside engineering director for the American outfit in 2016. He now fulfils the position of group principal on the American group.

“Subsequent week Method 1 travels to Suzuka for the Japanese Grand Prix, one I’m wanting ahead to for a lot of causes! I left Japan once I was 18 years previous as a result of I wished to work in Method 1, however I by no means imagined I might come again as a Crew Principal of one of many groups, no manner!

“I first got here again in an expert capability to Suzuka in 2009 – 15 years in the past – as a Efficiency Engineer and I assumed that was particular. After I received this position, I didn’t actually cease to consider the work I’ve carried out up thus far, 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 perhaps 95 or one thing – I’ll replicate on my journey, Method 1 is just too fast-paced for that.

“Since beginning my new position as Crew Principal, the most important factor for me has been everybody’s assist. All three of our websites – the US, UK and Italy – have been wonderful. From the very starting, everybody has been aligned and open to shifting ahead in a sure route, one which all of us agree on.

“I believe proper now the group is in place – which is clearly helped by scoring factors – nevertheless it’s a motivating atmosphere to work in and everybody is aware of our targets.

“MoneyGram Haas F1 Crew is a household, made up of passionate, high-skilled professionals who deserve the perfect alternatives and are deeply loyal to Haas. I do know everybody studying that is additionally fiercely loyal to Haas. We all know we’re thought-about the underdogs, however your assist has made the onerous instances bearable, and makes the great instances even sweeter, so I’d wish to thanks,” Komatsu added.

F1earlier