After finishing P10 in the constructors’ championship last year, Gene Haas was very unhappy with the team’s performance, an opinion shared by new team principal Ayao Komatsu, too.
Following the disappointing results that the American outfit had in 2023, Gene decided to part ways with Günther Steiner and promote Komatsu as the new team principal. The latter felt that the comments made by the team owner regarding the outfit’s performance were absolutely right, and they must be seen as motivating for Haas.
“Gene at the moment, he wants to get off the back of the grid,” said Komatsu. “You saw and heard how unhappy Gene was. I mean, of course, who’s going to be happy competing in last place? It is embarrassing. It really is embarrassing.
“So I think it’s positive that Gene’s unhappy where we are. It’s actually motivating for everyone here. Okay, Gene is serious, he wants to improve the team. So let’s do it together.”
Moreover, Komatsu praised Gene as he is always interested in the team’s work and direction when he visits the factory, even though he might not understand all the details of a Formula 1 squad.
“He’s very enthusiastic,” explained Komatsu. “He may not necessarily understand the details of Formula 1 teams, but at least he gives me a clear direction of what he wants out of the team, which is clear.”