2024-01-11 13:55:21
The Formula 1 year has started with a bang: The US machine tool manufacturer Gene Haas has decided that the GP racing team cannot continue like this. The 71-year-old Haas did not extend the contract with team boss Günther Steiner (58), instead he quickly promoted senior engineer Ayao Komatsu (47) to racing team manager.
Gene Haas has now commented on the personnel change for the first time on the official Formula 1 website and says: “We have been working with Ferrari for many years now, and Ferrari has always been very good to us. They build incredible engines and the rear axle we use from them is extremely good.”
“We benefit enormously from this close collaboration, but I am ashamed that we did not get past last place in the constructors’ cup in 2023 with this material.”
«I talked to our engineers for a long time and our biggest failure is in the area of aerodynamics. We have to step up our game.”
“We are going into our ninth season, we have competed in 166 World Championship races and we cannot show a single podium finish. In recent years we have been in the lower ranks.”
To be precise, this is how Haas has placed in the Constructors’ Cup since its GP debut:
2016: 8th (29 World Cup points)
2017: 8. (47)
2018: 5. (93)
2019: 9. (28)
2020: 9. (3)
2021: 10. (0)
2022: 8. (37)
2023: 10. (12)
Gene Haas continued: “I’m not saying it’s all Günther’s fault, but it just seemed to me that the time had come to implement certain changes and try something new. Because if we had continued as we were, it wouldn’t have worked either.”
«I like Günther, a great guy. But we had a hard time in 2023, even with all the improvements in the second part of the season, with which we actually should have made progress. The bottom line is that Formula 1 is all about performance and I have no interest in finishing tenth again.”
“We carefully looked at who could take on this position, and Ayao has the most experience. He is one of those employees who has been here from the beginning, he knows the racing team through and through.
«Günther is very good with people, now let’s see where a more technical approach takes us. As an engineer, Ayao sees things differently.”
Did Haas also have other specialists in mind? After all, Mattia Binotto (ex-Ferrari) and Otmar Szafnauer (ex-Alpine) are without a job. But Gene Haas says: “It’s better to rely on people you already know and who don’t have to learn the ropes. It always worked well at Haas Automation, why should I do it differently in Formula 1? A stranger initially causes unrest, and we don’t need that kind of chaos.”
Formula 1 presentations
February 5th: Clean
February 5th: Williams
12. February: Aston Martin
February 13: Ferrari
Formula 1 winter tests
02/21 until 23.2. in Bahrain
Formula 1 World Championship 2024
02.03. Bahrain-GP, Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
09.03. Saudi-Arabien-GP, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Dschidda
24.03. Australien-GP, Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
07.04. Japan-GP, Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka
21.04. China-GP, Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai
05.05. Miami-GP, Miami International Autodrome, Miami
19.05. Emilia Romagna-GP, Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
26.05. Monaco-GP, Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo
09.06. Kanada-GP, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
23.06. Spanien-GP, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló
June 30th Austrian GP, Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
07.07. Grossbritannien-GP, Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
21.07. Hungarian GP, Hungaroring, Budapest
28.07. Belgian-GP, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Spa
25.08. Netherlands GP, Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort
01.09. Italian-GP, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza
15.09. Aserbaidschan-GP, Baku City Circuit, Baku
22.09. Singapur-GP, Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapur
20.10. Austin-GP, Circuit of the Americas, Austin
27.10. Mexico-GP, Hermann Rodriguez Autodrome, Mexico-Stadt
03.11. Brasilien-GP, Autódromo José Carlos Pace, Interlagos
23.11. Las Vegas-GP, Las Vegas Street Circuit, Las Vegas
01.12. Katar-GP, Losail International Circuit, Doha
08.12. Abu Dhabi-GP, Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
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