Haas detail biggest limitation in pursuit of top F1 positions

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has opened up on the limitations the team is facing as it seeks to make the next step in F1.

The American squad joined the F1 field at the start of the 2016 season and has experienced various highs and lows on its journey thus far.

Its highest finish in the constructors' championship came in 2018 when it ended the year in fifth place, well clear of its midfield rivals.

During that time, it has operated as the smallest team in terms of personnel, with its numbers well down compared to the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull.

As a result, the process to install improvements to its car take a longer period of time.

“As always, we have to really prioritise a lot, and then the progress is slow because of resources, because of the toolset and the environment we've got,” Komatsu told select media including RacingNews365.

“To manufacturing as well, from the moment we find the solution, whether in a design office or internally, to be able to bring the solution to the truck, it takes longer. 

“So it's not just one thing. If you look at every single part of our business, there are lots of things that need to improve to really give them a better fighting chance.

“The reaction has been great, but from that reaction to be able to put solutions in place, it takes longer for us than some other teams.”

Article continues below.

What it all boils down to, Komatsu acknowledged, is money.

“It's mainly financial,” he said. “In terms of structure, I don't see a big problem. 

“Yes, it can be better, but there are many more things [to do] before we have to change any structure that we can put in place with a slightly better revenue, to be able to give people more resources, better software, better tools, the ability to improve the process, procedure, etc. 

“Everything takes time and human being resources, to do that, it's revenue.

“That's what we're working on. Moving forward, if you look at this month and last month, we announced three new partners. 

“So slowly and surely, we are getting the right partners on board. It's not just about money, it's about the collaboration. 

“So slowly but surely we're getting those partners on board to improve the team together. But we just need to keep going with that to be able to make a change.”

Haas currently sit seventh in the drivers' championship on 27 points but has gone through a tough stretch with five consecutive non-point-scoring finishes.

As it seeks to add performance to the car, Komatsu stated the situation is made more complex by the challenge of one person trying to carry out multiple roles.

“Honestly, it's not just about numbers, but the number of people [at the team], we are really up against it. One person is playing multiple different roles,” he said.

“That means beyond a certain point, it becomes inefficient as well. Smaller normally means efficient, but beyond a certain point, it's actually becoming inefficient. 

“So I would definitely recruit and reinforce certain departments to give them more just more resources.”