With the release of the first renderings of the Haas VF-24 livery that we will see on the track in the 2024 world championship, the presentation phase officially opens. The American team was already the first to make headlines in the new year, with the news of the change of management at the wall, with Ayao Komatsu replacing Guenther Steiner as Team Principal.
On this occasion, owner Gene Haas immediately expressed his full trust in the team’s lineup, explaining the crucial role of the driver pair in terms of future developments.
“With Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, we also know we have an exceptional driver duo behind the wheel. Their experience will once again prove invaluable on the front of our development program throughout the year.
“We used the off-season to fine-tune the processes in place to be better and ultimately improve our overall performance. Soon, we will see how we are doing.”
Targets also confirmed by the words of the incoming Team Principal, Ayao Komatsu:
“We are realistic about our expectations for the launch of the VF-24, but it is still an exciting time in every F1 season to showcase the car.
“There is a lot of work ahead of us to make progress and improve our performance. But everyone here is very good, motivated and eager to get on track with the VF-24.
“I know we will maximize our time in Bahrain with all the elements we have to experience.”
Ayao Komatsu: “We must remove the barriers that have prevented us from being competitive”
Komatsu then explained how the new single-seater is an evolution born from last year’s Austin updates.
“In terms of physical changes, when we carried out the update in Austin, the concepts were geared towards cars this year.
“But since we had the physical limitation of the side impact structure, rad-duct layout and cooling system, we could not realize the complete concept of the Haas VF-24. It was still a preview of this year’s car.”
On the role of Team Principal he inherited last month he then commented:
“Obviously, it was challenging, but it was really positive. I think a lot of people didn’t know how and where this team was going.
“We need a clear objective, as well as vision and communication. We must also remove all those barriers that have prevented us from having all this.
“Everyone needs to understand what they’re dealing with, the direction of the team and the approach we’re going to compete with.”
Therefore a clear fil rouge to impress on the team, an operation that is not so simple also from the point of view of the timing of taking on the new role.
“It’s had an impact on things: it was announced on January 10th, and on February 11th, we’ll see the car running for the first time – that’s quite a short time frame.
“However, it was not an operational problem. We also had a Technical Director on leave, so there were two important vacancies to fill.
“We formalized and communicated this structural change as soon as we could. The timing of this transition period was not ideal; however, I was very impressed by everyone’s maturity and minimized inconvenience.”
In the long official interview, Komatsu also offered a general vision of the team’s staff:
“Our new Technical Director is Andrea De Zordo, previously he was the Chief Designer. He has good communication skills, works hard, and listens to people. We are now recruiting our lead designer, but since I believe we have good internal candidates, we will look to promote someone from within.
“Another key position is that of Performance Director, a position that didn’t exist before. We appointed Damien Brayshaw, who was previously head of the Vehicle Performance Group.
“He will supervise and lead the direction of the upgrades together with the aerodynamic department and all related subordinate functions. ”
On the performance front, Ayao kept a low profile, specifying that it will most likely be a restart from the back of the grid:
“At the first pit lane exit in Bahrain, I think we will be at the back of the grid, if not last. The reason our launch spec car won’t be fast enough in Bahrain is that we started late and then stopped for two months for the Austin updates.
“The aim is to carry out a test program in Bahrain so that we can come out of the tests with quality data for the team to analyze and understand in which direction to develop the car.
“This means understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the Haas VF-24 accurately. And putting together a coherent plan for upgrades to the machine, something that has never happened before.”
The need to give a clear direction to the team
This is a line that reiterates the clarity that Ayao Komatsu wants to impart to his team. It also places great trust in the sensations that the pilots will experience.
“Pilots will also play a more important role. Last year, their feedback was clear, but despite knowing what the car’s weak point was, we were not able to translate this into the car’s development program.”
The desire of the men at Haas is to lay down solid roots also on the organizational front, with the final objective of translating everything into performance on the track.
“That’s why we are making changes to the organizational structure from a technical point of view, to ensure that whatever we discover on the track translates into the development of the car.
“If you look at the previous organizational structure, there was no clear path to closing the loop from that point of view.
“Now, at least, even if there is disagreement, it is clear to everyone why we are developing the car in a certain way.
“This is one of the main reasons why we were unable to make updates to the car last year and took steps backwards.
“We are already working in this way, and I believe there is better transparency, openness and communication. Therefore, I believe that this year, we will have a much better chance of properly updating the car.”
Author: Loris Preziosa
Translation: Jaden Diaz-Ndisang
