Ayao Komatsu commented on Haas’ position in the 2026 Formula 1 season and how the team is a step behind in the update race compared to rival teams.
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The American team started the year positively with the regulation change. However, gradually, it began to drop in results, with Oliver Beramn’s fifth place in the Chinese GP as the best result – now, after 12 rounds, it is seventh in the Constructors’ Championship with 21 points.
Assessing the situation, the manager acknowledged that the team had difficulties adapting to the new F1 regulations and especially with how quickly rivals like Racing Bulls and Alpine were presenting developments on their cars.
“This is the biggest regulation change of all time. Since we are the smallest team, we expected to have a lot of difficulty keeping up with the ‘big’ teams in the development race. We started the season extremely well, much better than anyone could imagine, but from that moment on, reality set in. With our limitations, we tried to develop the car as quickly as possible, but others are managing to add performance to their cars faster than us. That is the reality,” he said.
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“To be fair, honestly, it’s nothing against the team people, they are doing a fantastic job, working together. For us to have a chance to keep up with the others, everything needs to be perfect, right? Everything. And, in life, you can’t demand that all the time. I really believe I need to provide them with a better environment, make things easier, so they can show what they are capable of. I’m sure of that,” he continued.
“But the good side is that these tough moments reveal character, right? And there is no culture of blaming. We analyze the problem: what is the issue, where are we lacking downforce, why is the drivability not good, what are the drivers struggling with? We are all aligned, trying to solve the problem and add performance to the car. But, of course, that takes time. Many of the measures we are implementing will take time to materialize, but we need to believe in ourselves and in teamwork, support each other, and we will overcome this, just as we did in the last two years,” he concluded.
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