Jonathan FletcherThe MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has appointed Ayao Komatsu as its new team principal. Günther Steiner steps down from the organization effective immediately, after a decade of leading its operations. Komatsu, promoted from his role as Director of Engineering, has been with the team since its inaugural season in 2016, starting as Chief Race Engineer.
Haas confirmed this news on the team’s website. Komatsu brings over twenty years of experience in Formula 1, spanning both technical and managerial aspects. The 47-year-old Japanese started his Formula 1 career with British American Racing, also known as BAR, before a long tenure with Renault. Komatsu has been with Haas since 2016.
Haas F1 Team has expressed gratitude to Steiner
Team owner Gene Haas reflected on Steiner’s departure in a statement. “First and foremost, I would like to thank Günther Steiner for his dedicated service over the past ten years and wish him the best for the future,” said Gene Haas. “As an organization, it became clear that we needed to enhance our on-track performance. Appointing Ayao Komatsu as the team principal positions engineering at the core of our management, indicating that Steiner’s departure is a consequence of the team’s underperformance.”
“We have achieved some success, but consistency in delivering results that align with our organizational goals is imperative. Efficient utilization of our resources is necessary, but enhancing our design capabilities is key to our success as a team. I am looking forward to working with Ayao and ensuring we fully realize our potential. This appointment reflects our aspiration to perform at a high level in Formula 1.”
Haas Fails to Meet Expectations in Formula 1.
Steiner began his Formula 1 career in 2001 with Jaguar, which was acquired by Red Bull Racing at the end of 2004. He accepted an offer from the Austrian energy drink manufacturer, playing a key role in management. By the end of 2008, Steiner had moved to NASCAR in collaboration with Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
In the United States, Steiner developed a closer relationship with team owner Gene Haas, leading to his appointment as team principal when Haas launched its Formula 1 team in 2016.
The team had an impressive debut in 2016, securing a sixth and fifth place in the opening races and finishing an admirable fifth in the constructors’ standings in 2018.
However, since then, the American team has been on a downward trajectory. Haas finished ninth and second to last in 2019 and 2020, respectively, while 2021 was a disastrous season with no points for Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin. 2022 saw a temporary resurgence with an eighth-place finish, but in 2023, Haas was again at the bottom, with little prospect of improvement. Upgrades in recent years have been sparse and often ineffective, and it now appears that the outspoken team principal is being held accountable for the lack of results.
Technical Director Also Departs.
Haas announced earlier in the day that their Technical Director, Simone Resta, is leaving the team, reportedly over dissatisfaction. Earlier, rumors about Steiner’s departure emerged when his name disappeared from the team’s website, leaving only team owner Gene Haas, drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg, and reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi listed.
Ayao Komatsu Replacing Steiner Haas F1 Team Haas F1 Team Ayao Komatsu Replacing Steiner Haas F1 Team Haas F1 Team
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