Ayao Komatsu admits that the Haas team’s performance in Melbourne even affected him physically – How the team quickly turned things around
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has praised his team, saying that after a disastrous start to the season in Australia, the team showed what it is capable of with a strong response and targeted updates.
The season had started so promisingly. As in the previous year, Haas focused on long runs in winter testing to further improve its progress in tire management. Apart from a loose engine cover on the last day of testing, everything went “smoothly” according to Komatsu. This made the shock at the Australian Grand Prix all the greater.
“It was a real shock,” recalls the Japanese driver. “I’ll never forget that feeling. Honestly, I felt physically sick. Not just because we were last, but because we were six tenths behind the penultimate car.”
The source of the problem: In the fast turns 9 and 10 in Melbourne, the VF-25 hit the ground so hard that it lost a lot of downforce. The drivers had to lift off significantly, which affected their lap times. Komatsu quickly realized: “This was a fundamental problem, and we couldn’t just wait for the next scheduled update.”
Quick update brings the turnaround
In Suzuka, also a high-speed circuit, a turnaround was needed. Before the Japan weekend, Haas brought a first update to the underbody – a quick reaction that paid off, according to Komatsu. Another aerodynamic upgrade followed in Imola. This was also based on the findings from Melbourne.
“I’m incredibly proud of how the team responded,” says Komatsu. “We hardly slept in Melbourne because we needed to understand the problems and take immediate countermeasures.”
The latest upgrade at Silverstone is now a sign that Haas has got the Melbourne issues under control. Komatsu emphasizes that unlike in previous years, when updates brought little progress, the team has found an effective development path with the VF-25.
“What we brought to Silverstone was a normal upgrade – and it worked,” explains Komatsu. “Our development program is now strong. When we deliver our performance, we have a car that can finish in the top 10.”
Haas currently lies ninth in the constructors’ championship with 35 points, just eight points behind sixth place. “It’s all very close,” says Komatsu. “We have to get the maximum out of every weekend.”
Looking back, the team boss believes that a setback like the one in Melbourne would have thrown the team off track a year ago. “Back then, it would have been disastrous,” he says. “But now we have a foundation of trust and teamwork. I couldn’t be happier with the response.”