New Haas manager Ayao Komatsu has given F1 fans an early insight into his management style as he prepares to take on the big role left behind by Gunter Steiner.
Haas sent an early shock to the F1 world earlier this month when it was confirmed that F1's 'rock star' boss Steiner would not have his contract renewed at the end of the 2023 F1 season.
Instead, team owner Gene Haas hired from within, injecting more technical thinking into the seismic mission of lifting America's F1 team out of its dark, dingy basement battles.
A glimpse of Ayao Komatsu's management philosophy
And Komatsu explained what to expect from him when Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg take over the 2024 F1 driver line-up.
If we take the quote at face value, with a little more thought, it seems like Komatsu could be just as powerful as Steiner.
“Of course I know Kevin.” [Magnussen] for several years,” Komatsu said as quoted by Motorsport.com. “Nico [Hulkenberg], I really enjoyed working with him last year. I didn't know about him until then.
“In fact, when I was working at Lotus, he came in for a seat fitting, I can’t remember what year it was, but he remembered that too.
“They know I'm very outspoken. I say what I think. It's not offensive or anything, but it's not bullshit either. I just don't have time to waste.
“They know exactly where I am at the time, they know exactly where they are, and we work well together. In terms of our strengths and weaknesses, we understand each other very well. I am.
“We're having an open and transparent dialogue, so we're happy with that.”
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Both Magnussen and Hulkenberg struggled with the miserable VF-23 in both A-spec and B-spec, but Komatsu says the VF-24, scheduled for release on February 11th, provides a better platform, especially for Magnussen. I hope so. Show off his talent.
When asked if Haas was able to eliminate its glaring weaknesses during production of the 2024 Challenger, Komatsu replied, “I wouldn't say defeated. That's a big word.” “But certainly, we have improved it.
“He is a driver who requires good entry stability and consistent handling in the corners.”
Magnussen and Hulkenberg are both racing for a future in F1 in 2024, but the pair join a long list of 14 drivers whose contracts are currently expiring at the end of next season.
Read next: 14 drivers' contracts expire at the end of the 2024 F1 season
