Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has revealed how avoiding a “blame game” culture and encouraging transparency has been the side’s revival in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Komatsu was selected as Guenther Steiner’s successor prior to this season as owner Gene Haas authorised a change amid a slump to last in the standings last term.
The Japanese engineer’s promotion to the helm has seen Haas rebound to amass more than double the points (27) that the team managed in 22 rounds (12) in 2023.
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Haas introduced a comprehensive update package at the previous round in Silverstone which allowed Nico Hulkenberg to replicate his sixth-place result from Austria.
The American squad’s more aggressive approach to the development race marks a stark contrast to previous campaigns where the side has dropped down the order.
Komatsu explained that Haas’ upturn in 2024 has emanated from the technical team being allowed to take risks without holding concerns there will be repercussions.
Asked how Haas has avoided falling into the trap of failed updates that has blighted Ferrari and RB’s progress in recent weeks, Komatsu said: “I think being honest about what you’ve done, not afraid to if something is unexpected, if something didn’t work as expected, just not afraid to put it on the table.
“That’s why I try to build up this culture of transparency, because if people start hiding, if people start bulls****ing people, then you can quickly get into the hole.
“And then it’s not just the time you lose, it’s just the culture.
“So, for me, it’s the open communication, transparency, really look at ourselves, and then just discuss together, and then not having a blame culture as well.
“If you had a blame culture, people would worry to put their hands up.
“So, really trying to avoid that, you know, we’re trying to move forward as a team. So, that’s what I’m trying to install, and I think that’s what we’re doing so far.”
As the smallest team on the grid with the least resources at its disposal, Haas is reliant on outsmarting its more-fancied rivals in order to be competitive on the track.
Komatsu, though, has contended the Kannapolis-based squad’s working operating smarter and as a collective unit can counteract its competitors’ big-name signings.
“I think considering the size of our team, all the limitations we have, I’m very, very happy that this is the strength and weakness of the car,” he added.
“Accept that from day one, work as a team, our size of the team hasn’t really changed from last year.
“We are employing people, we are increasing the size of the team by 10%, for a small team like us it’s massive, right?
“But those people haven’t even started yet, so as we stand now, our size of our team and working as a team, that’s what you can do.
“It’s not like we have to hire some superstars from outside, I wouldn’t say we don’t need superstars, we just need to work as a team, that’s the biggest thing.”
