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Ayao Komatsu

F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024 Ayao Komatsu before third practice ahead of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Cicuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on December 6, 2024.

    “I Was Trying to Become a Journalist”: Ayao Komatsu Remembers Deceased Friend Who Changed His Career Path

    Vidit Dhawan
    Nico Hulkenberg Equally Credits Guenther Steiner and Ayao Komatsu for Turning Haas’ Fortunes in 2024
    Nico Hulkenberg of Haas is seen during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz ahead of Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit

    Aishwary Gaonkar

    New IT Partner Unveils Plan to Give Haas F1 Team an Edge Over Rivals Under 2026 Era of Regulations
    F1 - LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2024 27 HULKENBERG Nico (ger), Haas F1 Team VF-24 Ferrari, action during the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024

    Aishwary Gaonkar

    “I Should’ve Left Haas in 2022”: Guenther Steiner Regrets Spending Two Extra Years Before Getting Axed
    Circuit of The Americas, Austin, FORMULA 1 PIRELLI UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2024 ,in the picture Günther Steiner

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    Ayao Komatsu Sets Tall Target for Haas With 3 Races to Go: “If It Was Easy, We’d All Be Doing It!”
    Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of the Haas F1 team, poses for a portrait during the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    “Last Year His Feedback Wasn’t Taken in Right Way”: Haas Boss on Nico Hulkenberg’s Wasted Talent
    Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and Ayao Komatsu ahead of the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

    Vidit Dhawan

    Haas Boss Ayao Komatsu Faced 48 Rejections by F1 Teams Before Making His Childhood Dream Come True
    KOMATSU Ayao (jpn), Chief Engineer of Haas F1 Team, portrait press conference, during the 2023 Formula 1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    Ayao Komatsu Sets Top 4 Target for Team Haas: “This Is Why Gene Made a Change”
    KOMATSU Ayao (jpn), Team Principal of Haas F1 team, portrait press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz during the Formula 1 Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    “I Know How to Get the Best Out of People”: Ayao Komatsu on Why He Was Picked as Steiner’s Successor
    STEINER Guenther (ita), Team Principal of Haas F1 team, KOMATSU Ayao (jpn), Chief Engineer of Haas F1 Team, portrait during the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2022

    Veerendra Vikram Singh

    After Signing Monumental Toyota Partnership, Haas Boss Teases Another Surprise for the US GP
    After Signing Monumental Toyota Partnership, Haas Boss Teases Another Surprise for the US GP

    Vidit Dhawan

    Esteban Ocon Credits Ayao Komatsu as the Driving Force Behind His Haas Move
    Personal relationships can significantly influence decision-making in F1. Esteban Ocon demonstrated this by revealing that Ayao Komatsu was a key factor in his decision to join Haas. The Japanese engineer, who became the Team Principal of the American team in 2023, shares some old memories with Ocon. Ocon made his F1 race weekend debut back in 2014 when he tested for Lotus' F1 team. Komatsu was part of the outfit at that time and was the one guiding Ocon throughout the weekend. Recalling those memories, Ocon decided to join Haas in 2025, because he trusted Komatsu's leadership. "He is an experienced racing engineer who knows what he is talking about. When I met him for the first time, I was still very young," he said (per AMuS).  "But even back then, I was very impressed by the questions he asked me. He was my engineer when I completed my first Formula 1 test in 2014. I still like to remember that fondly," the Frenchman added.  AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT - Q: Haas was still last in 2023. It is the smallest team in Formula 1. It doesn't exactly seem like a logical choice. Esteban Ocon: What convinced me the most is that Ayao (Komatsu) is leading the team. He is an experienced racing engineer who knows... 1/4 — Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) October 9, 2024 After testing for Lotus in 2014, his interaction with Komatsu at that time ultimately influenced his decision to choose his new F1 team a decade later. However, Ocon will need to be patient with Haas's progress, even though he trusts Komatsu. Currently, the Kannapolis-based outfit lacks the right mechanical package to consistently compete for points, but the current Alpine driver believes they will get there. Ocon is convinced with Haas' F1 project Ocon has driven for Racing Point (Team Silverstone) and Alpine (Renault) in F1 and served as a Mercedes reserve for some time—teams with large workforces. In contrast, Haas is a much smaller team. However, they currently find themselves in a good position to earn a significant bonus at the end of the season. Sitting P7 in the Constructors' Championship, they are just three points behind RB in P6. If they manage to secure sixth place, it would be a significant achievement for the American team. The higher a team finishes in the standings, the greater the financial rewards they reap.  Haas will undoubtedly benefit from this, as they already possess the desire and motivation to succeed back at the factory. Ocon stated, "The team has clear goals. I want to be a part of it. I was already at the factory and saw the passion with which everyone works there. I have missed this feeling." 

    Mahim Suhalka