Haas F1 silences critics in Shanghai with grit, precision and points after a brutal wake-up call back in Melbourne.
Haas F1 Team delivered a strong performance at the Chinese Grand Prix, bouncing back impressively after a tough outing in Melbourne. Both Esteban Ocon and rookie Oliver Bearman scored points — even before the disqualifications of the two Ferraris pushed them up the order.
Their original 7th and 10th place finishes were upgraded to 5th and 8th, a result that team principal Ayao Komatsu called “incredible.”
But more than the points, Komatsu was proud of the way the team responded to adversity.
“Australia was a shock — we didn’t expect it after what we saw in Bahrain testing. But the team’s response was just amazing,” Komatsu said.
“Across all our operations — in Italy, the UK, the US, and trackside — everyone pulled together. I’m genuinely proud of how we reacted and turned things around for China.”
Komatsu emphasized that failure is part of racing — what matters is how a team recovers.
“Everyone faces setbacks. But it’s not the failure that defines you, it’s how you bounce back. And I think the team showed exactly that.”
So how did Haas turn things around?
“We adapted well to the changing conditions. After the Sprint, we made key setup changes that paid off in qualifying and the race. Communication and execution were spot-on. Honestly, this is the best kind of reaction I could have hoped for.”
Even Komatsu admitted the result exceeded expectations.
“If you’d told me we’d even score a single point today, I would’ve been thrilled. This outcome is beyond that — and it gives us momentum. I’m really excited to keep pushing with the team to develop this car.”
Still, he remains realistic. The VF-25’s aerodynamic flaws haven’t disappeared.
“Let’s be clear — we haven’t fixed everything. On certain circuits, we’ll still struggle. But when conditions suit us and the car feels right, this is the kind of performance we can deliver.”
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Komatsu Praises Haas Fightback After Aussie Shock
Komatsu Praises Haas Fightback After Aussie Shock
