Komatsu’s Leadership Makes Grosjean Nostalgic for Haas

Romain Grosjean celebrates Ayao Komatsu’s success at Haas F1, crediting his leadership for transforming the team’s performance.

Romain Grosjean, a former Haas F1 driver from 2016 to 2020, expressed his joy to F1’s official website at seeing his former engineer, Ayao Komatsu, succeed as the team’s leader.

The Japanese engineer replaced Günther Steiner earlier this year to revitalize the American team. His methods, processes, and restructuring have paid off. Haas F1 is now contending for 6th place in the Constructors’ Championship, a significant improvement from finishing last in 2023.

“I’m very proud of Ayao and what he’s done with Haas, bringing the team to a much better level—getting the best out of the situation and working the way he does.”

“I was lucky enough to know before the official announcement [that Komatsu would become the new team principal]; I got a text from Ayao. I told him I was very proud of him, very proud of everything he’s achieved, and very happy for him.”

“Of course, I didn’t know how it would go, but it’s fantastic. It almost makes me want to race for them again!”

When asked if he had always seen Komatsu as more than an engineer, with the potential to become an F1 team boss, Grosjean added: “No, you never know. It’s a different role, a different approach, with a bit of politics and media involved.”

“I had no idea about his talent for that part. I knew he could make everything work to succeed, but that part was the unknown, and he’s doing really, really well.”