Haas confirm key reason for Magnussen exit

Ayao Komatsu has explained the principle reason behind what he has described as the "very difficult" decision to release Kevin Magnussen.

Magnussen will leave at the end of the season, ending what will be his seventh campaign with the team over two spells in which he will have competed in 147 grands prix.

Komatsu has confirmed to media at the Hungarian Grand Prix, including RacingNews365, that an announcement on Magnussen's replacement - almost certain to be Esteban Ocon - can be expected before the summer break.

Asked by RacingNews365 as to why he opted to part ways with Magnussen, Komatsu said: "It was very difficult because Kevin has done quite a lot for the team over his two spells, especially during the first spell with Romain [Grosjean].

"That was exciting, 2018, doing a P4, P5 in Austria, so there were lots of highs, and then when we needed him, when Gene and Guenther [former team principal Steiner] asked, he came back and gave us that P5 [in Bahrain], so he's done a lot for the team.

"I've done many seasons with him, so it wasn't easy, but I guess that's the responsibility of my position, I guess."

As to the specific determining factors, Komatsu added: "We know we're going to have Ollie [Bearman], a young driver, so then the other driver has to give a consistent reference.

"If you look at Nico [Hulkenberg] and Kevin, in terms of giving a consistent reference, I need somebody closer to Nico's consistency.

"But the difference between Kevin and Nico is very small. The results make it look very different number, and the number of points scored make it look quite different, but the determining factor is not huge.

"So it was very difficult to make that decision, for sure."

Komatsu is adamant he took everything into consideration when making his call, and he had to push emotion aside given everything Magnussen has done for the team over the years.

"Whether I like it or not that's part of my job," he said. "I needed to try and to make a professional decision, which is in the best interests of the team. That's what Gene wanted me to do.

"So in the end, I just kept asking myself, 'Is this a professional decision? Am I doing the right thing for the team?'. No sentiment, no personal reasons.

"I had to put the team's potential, results and growth first, and I'm comfortable I made a professional decision. Whether it's right or not, that's to be judged, but at least the process of my decision making, I'm comfortable I made it professionally."