Ayao Komatsu steps up as Haas F1’s lead, with Andrea De Zordo excelling in technical innovation, enhancing team performance significantly.
At the helm of Haas F1, Ayao Komatsu has successfully, for now, replaced Günther Steiner. However, there has also been a shift in technical leadership this year.
Indeed, Simone Resta was succeeded by Andrea De Zordo, who previously served as chief designer. In summary, he was Resta’s deputy.
Evidently, De Zordo is making a successful debut at Haas F1. The developments introduced mid-season, unusually, are performing well on the cars of Nico Hülkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
“He is a very technical person,” says Ayao Komatsu about his technical director.
“His communication is good, he is very committed to the team, he listens to people, so I am very pleased with this choice,” continues the team principal.
However, De Zordo is also the one who oversaw last year’s developments, which were not at all satisfactory.
Why is what didn’t work in 2023 functioning this year? Does the Haas F1 technical director have any insights? Is it due to his new role? He shares with Racer.
“Of course, it was a new start, because a lot of things changed – the organisation, the way of working – so there was a sudden shift, not as if it was planned in advance. But the fact is, I had a good relationship with Ayao before and I have a good relationship with him now. I think we work very well together.”
Did De Zordo ever anticipate replacing Simone Resta?
“I did not expect it at all. The day they asked me to take the role, I woke up in the morning and it didn’t even cross my mind. Of course, I was scared at first – very scared – because it was a big leap forward. So, I thought about it a lot; I wasn’t sure at first, then I accepted the proposal.”
“The first month was very, very busy. You really feel the pressure in your stomach. You wake up each morning thinking: ‘I hope I can do this.’ Then, day by day, you realise you can do it and you get used to it. You feel more comfortable, and now I am quite satisfied with this role. I like it. I feel the pressure – it’s very, very challenging.”
“Of course, I am not the best person to say whether I am doing a good job or not, but I am doing my best,” De Zordo remarked.
For De Zordo, Haas F1 fundamentally shifted its approach last winter by addressing what had been its most significant issue: race performance and the wear of the Pirellis.
“We have worked extensively on race performance. I think the fact that this year we are even faster in the race than in qualifying is very satisfying. It’s the result of multiple factors, and if you miss one, it doesn’t work, even if the rest is good. Last year, we lost a lot in key areas, and once we realised that, we began to regroup.”
“We worked hard over the winter to improve in all areas we knew needed enhancement and finally, it works—if you go on track, it works—and our way of working has also changed. So, it’s not just a matter of equipment or drivers; it’s also a question of approach. We understand much better now, and even at this moment, what we need to do to go faster and move forward is much clearer.”
“We try to attack everywhere. Of course, with the current regulations, the floor is the main component, and how the floor interacts with the rest of the car is also crucial. That’s what we’re focusing on, but there are also many details in the car we’re not completely satisfied with and know we can improve.”
“It might not seem like much, but one detail here, another there, you might not see it in the wind tunnel, but you know that if it’s not right, it can cost you effort and performance. So, we’re trying to pay attention everywhere—on the big assemblies, but also on the small details.”
Although Haas F1 is on track to finish ahead of Alpine, Williams F1, and Stake in the constructors’ standings, De Zordo is not yet satisfied with the current position. Haas must catch up to Aston Martin and dominate the midfield.
“For me, the goal must be to improve. I think there are a few teams this year that are not performing well, underperforming, and that means if we want to keep up the pace next year, we need to improve and not assume that someone else may not. For me, therefore, the goal must be to be at the top of the midfield. For that, we need to take another step forward.”
2026 heralds another well-negotiated regulation change for Haas F1?
A significant opportunity for advancement is set to present itself in 2026 with the introduction of new regulations—a milestone certainly marked in the calendar of Haas F1’s technical director…
Historically, Haas has always adeptly navigated regulatory changes, a fact not lost on De Zordo…
“I think the best results of the last three years were achieved during the first race under the new regulations. But I do not want to rely on that. We know it’s very challenging, and for a team like ours, with fewer resources, it’s even more so.”
“My personal view is that one of Red Bull’s major advantages has been their ability to start on the right path from the beginning and to continue developing along that path. All other teams have had, at some point, to change direction, lose performance and regain it, thus catching up.”
“Therefore, it is crucial to start right from the beginning and choose the right path. Even if it takes more time, even if you arrive at the first race less well-prepared than in the past, but if you are on the right path, the performance will eventually come.”
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Andrea De Zordo, the technical director behind Haas F1’s success Andrea De Zordo, the technical director behind Haas F1’s success. f1 2024 Andrea De Zordo, the technical director behind Haas F1’s success
