Komatsu: Problems start when trust is broken

Next season, Haas F1 will undergo a complete line-up change: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Berman will race for the American team in 2025.

At the same time, everyone remembers that the Frenchman was very sharply criticized after an incident on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, when he collided with Pierre Gasly, his Alpine teammate, but Ayo Komatsu, head of Haas F1, stressed that he has never had any problems with racers, and to avoid this it is necessary to create an atmosphere of mutual trust in the team.

Ayo Komatsu: “To be honest, I think a lot of it depends on openness and trust, so that the established rules of the game are clear and understandable. I think the problems start when the trust between the team and the driver is broken to a certain extent.

I have been in Formula 1 for a long time, I have held different positions: I was a race engineer, chief race engineer, led the technical department and now I have become a team leader. My experience shows that it is important to build an open, trusting relationship with riders.

At the same time, everyone should not worry about their own interests, but act in the interest of the team, so that the tasks for a specific race or for the entire season are clearly defined, so that everyone understands the rules of the game. If all this is discussed in advance and there is complete mutual understanding between everyone, an atmosphere of trust is created.

“If there is such trust, I personally have no problems and the situation does not get out of hand. Therefore, I have no reason to worry. If that were the case, I would not have chosen these drivers, because I am responsible for them working in the interests of the team. I have no doubt that Oliver and Esteban will behave in this way.”

At the same time, Komatsu confirmed that before signing a contract with Ocon, he discussed the Monaco incident with him: “Of course, that story also had to be dealt with. The incident was quite noticeable and needed attention. So I had a conversation with Esteban about this topic, after which I finally decided to invite him to the team and I am happy with this decision…

“It is very important for me that we have such an experienced driver with a good track record. At the same time, he is still young, he has something to prove and he really believes in our project. I have no doubt that Ocon will give 100 percent.”