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In the course of the Chinese language Grand Prix, we met with Ayao Komatsu, the brand new Haas staff principal, who changed Guenther Steiner for the 2024 F1 season. Komatsu has over 20 years of expertise in System 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 concerning the basic adjustments he has applied throughout the staff, how engineering data and expertise assist him in his new place, the trendy picture of a Staff Principal in System 1, and Haas’s plans for 2024.
Jastina Golopolosova: Howdy Ayao! You will have simply returned from your private home 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: Howdy! It was an extremely heat welcome. On Thursdays in Japan, we at all times get a superb turnout for the pit stroll. However this yr, the assist 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 System 1 is really inspiring, and I’m grateful for his or her assist. It’s a testomony to the love for this sport.
J.G.: Wow! That’s fantastic! After 4 races, the staff’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 happy with how the staff has began the season?
A.Okay.: Sure and no. Sure, if any person requested me, after 4 races in the beginning of the season, I might have taken it if we scored factors in two races. So, what we’re attaining as a sporting result’s higher than anticipated earlier than we run the automotive within the Bahrain check. So I’m happy in that manner. I’m not proud of the truth that we now have but to essentially have an ideal race. In fact, as a race staff, we wish to maximise every little thing. If the automotive’s quick sufficient for P11, we must always get P11. We should always get a podium if the automotive’s quick sufficient for the rostrum. For example, in Japan, we must always have gotten P10. If Nico had a greater begin for the restart and Kevin had a greater pit cease, then we must always have at the least been preventing 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 yr. Now, towards 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 staff construction is significant for long-term success in System 1. Might you delve into the basic adjustments you’ve applied inside Haas and your method to administration?
A.Okay.: I suppose, wanting on the technical organisation restructure. If we have a look at our shortcomings from the earlier years, it’s nicely documented that we haven’t been capable of put upgrades on the automotive in a season that works, which is but to be seen this yr. Nevertheless, an organisational construction that makes certain that no matter we see on the trackside and evaluation popping out from the automotive working on a monitor will translate into the work we’re doing again on the manufacturing facility. So we restructured in that space and put the suitable folks in the suitable place. In order that’s key.
When it comes to philosophy, it’s actually defining the clear goal and the technique to go together with it after which speaking that technique to the remainder of the corporate simply to ensure everyone is aware of what our goal is that this yr, how we’re planning to realize it, and the way we’re going to enhance the automotive 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.Okay.: One space for enchancment was the technical aspect of issues. Final yr, we had a basic automotive difficulty 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 automotive. 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 folks, 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 focusing on.
Ayao Komatsu
Staff Principal, Haas F1 Staff
J.G.: What ought to be the trendy picture of a System 1 Staff Principal? Ought to he have distinctive technical data or expertise?
A.Okay.: It actually is determined by the staff. Nobody mannequin fits each organisation. So, when you have a look at our staff and the way the Haas staff is ready up in comparison with Mercedes or Pink Bull, there’s no level in evaluating them. So, while you have a look at these totally different staff buildings, every staff in all probability wants a special staff principal. So, what, let’s say, Sauber want may be very totally different from what the Haas F1 staff wants. So, there isn’t a single reply that this ought to be the mannequin for the staff principal. Each staff is totally different.
J.G.: Talking about drivers, How do you intend to contain the drivers extra successfully within the technique of refining the VF-24?
A.Okay.: Sure, that’s a key level, actually. Even final yr, they had 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 improvement programme to what the driving force was feeling within the automotive. However after all, I used to be experiencing that, seeing that final yr. So this yr, a part of the issues of this technical organisation, this construction, and the issues I stated about communication are be certain that we hearken to our drivers as a result of our drivers are very, excellent when it comes to feeling the automotive, giving us technical suggestions about how the automotive ought to behave, how we must always develop the automotive. So if our engineers who’re growing the automotive, both you’re an aerodynamicist, designer, or automobile efficiency man, understood that key message from our two drivers, then I’m certain we are able to develop the automotive accurately. So sure, two drivers are a significant half, and they’re taking part in their half very, very nicely.
J.G.: Talking concerning the staff, does it have the funds for to develop and develop, or does it lack monetary assets?
A.Okay.: I believe the important thing you stated was to develop and develop. So, the staff must develop, but it surely’s a step-by-step. So, at the start, 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 staff when it comes to a large recruitment drive for motorhome. So that’s entering 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 staff is now functioning higher. In fact, with the present setting, we are able to enhance extra, however Gene has already determined to speculate a big quantity when it comes to recruitment. So it’s very constructive that we are able to do it concurrently. And, after all, progress is crucial, however the progress fee can also be vital. When you develop too rapidly, you lose management. Issues fall over, disintegrate. It’s very important that you just develop the organisation at a sustainable tempo, which is what I’m focusing on.
J.G.: And while you acquired your promotion, did Gene Haas provide you with any recommendation?
A.Okay.: In Gene’s phrases, the transient was apparent: enhance the automotive’s efficiency. You recognize, we had been P10 final yr. That’s not the place Gene desires to be, and it’s totally different from the place everyone desires to be. So, , in Gene’s phrases, he was embarrassed about it. At the start, my transient was that we have to have a look at the automotive’s efficiency and get off the grid. So, yeah, that message is clear.
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 Photographs)
J.G.: Going again to the present weekend in China, the race in Shanghai can be held right here for the primary time with the brand new laws that had been launched a number of years in the past, plus there can be a dash race. How do you assess Haas’s probabilities on this monitor, and to what extent can the automotive be tailored to it?
A.Okay.: Yeah, it’s superb when it comes to circuit traits. After I say superb, it’s as a result of we’ve executed 4 quick races on very totally different tracks. Bahrain, Jeddah, Melbourne, and Suzuka. And Suzuka being actually the worst one for our automotive, however we had been capable of put a good efficiency in Suzuka as nicely. So right here, all being superb, we must always be capable to put in a good efficiency as nicely. However for me, the primary factor is that this monitor floor appears very inconsistent. So, it hasn’t been pushed a lot in any respect, proper? And, after all, we’ve received the climate circumstances as nicely. So then, being a dash weekend, that’s the strain. You’ve solely received one hour to kind your automotive out. So we should begin the automotive on the right setup. However actually, I believe I have to see what the monitor grip degree situation is. And when it comes to consistency, it appears tough. In order that’s one of many greatest challenges.
J.G.: I see. Good luck with this. What are Haas’s normal targets for 2024?
A.Okay.: It has stayed the identical from the start of the yr. Although 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 improvement and improvement progress all through the season. In order that’s one of many targets this yr. So, P8 remains to be a really aggressive goal from the place we come from. In order that’s what we’re focusing on. However after all, we’re not going to present away sevens simply. In fact, we’re making an attempt to attempt in the direction of P6. But when we obtain P8 on the finish of the yr, we’ve executed an excellent job.
J.G.: Nice! However do you proceed speaking with Guenther Steiner, the previous staff principal? He not too long ago visited the paddock.
A.Okay.: To this point, I’ve been flat out with the present organisation. I haven’t had an opportunity to satisfy him, however I’m certain I’ll see him in Miami. He’s coming to Miami as an envoy, proper? So yeah, possibly I’ll see him there.
J.G.: Okay, thanks a lot, Ayao! It was a pleasure speaking to you!
A.Okay.: Similar, thanks.
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