Haas F1 Sees a Remarkable Turnaround Under Komatsu’s Leadership, Leaving the Steiner Era Behind
After 14 rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, Haas finds itself in a much stronger position, currently sitting P7 in the Constructors’ standings with 27 points—more than double what they had at this point last year. This upward momentum can largely be attributed to the leadership of Ayao Komatsu, who has transformed the team’s operations and culture, leading to improved performance on the track.
Reflecting on his first season in charge, Komatsu highlighted the stark contrast between the current state of the team and the chaotic atmosphere under former team principal Guenther Steiner. Komatsu didn’t mince words when he noted that the team is now functioning more cohesively and seriously, moving away from the “show” that characterized the Steiner era. “27 points is great. It’s more than double what we had last year,” Komatsu remarked. “But more than that, it’s very encouraging to see how we are working together as a team. That wasn’t the case up until the end of last year.”
This shift marks a significant departure from what many perceived as a mismanaged team under Steiner, where internal conflicts and public criticisms of drivers were common. Komatsu’s leadership style, which focuses on collaboration and creating a positive work environment, has been instrumental in Haas’s resurgence. He emphasized the importance of everyone in the team understanding their role and how it contributes to on-track performance. “Everyone, it doesn’t matter who you are—whether IT person, software person, race engineer, driver, or finance person—everyone needs to understand what they’re doing and how it will contribute to performance on the track,” Komatsu explained.
Unlike his predecessor, Komatsu has fostered a culture of accountability without blame. He believes that creating a safe space for the team to address issues and learn from mistakes without fear of repercussions is key to driving performance. This approach contrasts sharply with Steiner’s infamous public beratings of drivers, which often seemed to undermine team morale. “There’s no blame culture; when something isn’t working, we have to get to the bottom of it, but it’s not a witch hunt,” Komatsu stated, perhaps subtly critiquing Steiner’s methods.
The impact of Komatsu’s leadership is already evident. The team, which set a modest target of P8 in the Constructors’ standings for 2024, is on track to exceed expectations, currently holding P7 with several races left in the season. The “Komatsu-effect” is clearly working, as the team not only performs better but also exudes a more positive and cohesive energy.
Despite the significant progress, Komatsu remains realistic about the challenges ahead. He acknowledged that while the team is on a recruitment drive to bolster its ranks, many of these new hires have yet to join. “Even though we are on a huge recruitment [drive] that we’ve never seen before in the history of Haas F1 Team, we haven’t actually got those people on board yet, so we are largely still the same size,” he noted. However, he believes that the improved atmosphere within the team is already yielding results, with increased positivity leading to better performance.
Komatsu’s calm and measured approach has brought stability to a team that was previously known for its volatility. As Haas continues to build on its newfound success, it’s clear that Gene Haas’s decision to bring Komatsu on board was a pivotal moment for the team. With Komatsu at the helm, Haas F1 is poised to continue its ascent in the competitive world of Formula 1.
Photo from Komatsu Instagram
