Outspoken and popular starting Haas group principal Guenther Steiner left the team over the winter season as his agreement pertained to an end.
Steiner likewise had an argument with owner Gene Haas that associated to the technical structure and level of financial investment needed to climb up the builders' standings, after the American team ended up last in 2023.
Previous BAR and Renault engineer Komatsu, the group's trackside engineering director considering that its 2016 launching, has actually taken the reins. Provided his background, Hulkenberg states the engineers can not get away with “bullshit” due to the fact that he “understands what's going on”.
Speaking at pre-season screening in Bahrain, the German stated: “He's a completely various guy, various character. That's quite apparent. He's an engineer. Various background.
“He has a great deal of experience and knowledge. Engineers can't bullshit him, nobody can bullshit him due to the fact that he understands what's going on. He looks [at] things quite from the technical side.
“What he's done so far currently, the restructuring within the technical department, it looks great. He's clearly attempting to– which's his task — optimise a great deal of the structures and increase what we have presently.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team
Picture by: Sam Bloxham/ Motorsport Images
Haas was dogged last season by an advancement course that stopped working to enhance efficiency as the VF-23 automobile had a hard time to manage tyre getting too hot in race conditions.
Hulkenberg stated the vehicle was not “dreadful” to start with however “we stalled, and for that reason reversed”. He yielded the group understood what the concerns were however “didn't have the concepts to get on top of them”.
Ever since, technical director Simone Resta — on loan from Ferrari — has actually gone back to the Scuderia however not to deal with its F1 job. Andrea De Zordo has actually been promoted from within to change compatriot Resta.
When Hulkenberg's “no bullshit” line was put to team-mate Kevin Magnussen, the Dane applauded Komatsu's background for offering him an understanding of all departments.
Magnussen stated: “I do not believe anybody was attempting to bullshit in 2015 [under Steiner]I simply believe having somebody who is that technical and has that deep understanding of the engineering of a Formula 1 vehicle throughout all departments.
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24
Image by: Andy Hone/ Motorsport Images
“He's come directly from race engineering, leading that group. I'm a part of that group. We're working with aero, lorry characteristics, systems, style. We're touching all the various [departments]
“He's been leading that group and now he's in charge. Everybody feels like they can go and speak to somebody who they feel is comprehending.
“As a leader, to be comprehended, initially you need to comprehend. For Ayao, it's rather a lot much easier to comprehend provided his experience.”
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