Haas name target after providing 'proof' it can deliver

Ayao Komatsu has set a defined target for Haas following the team's resurgence over the last two grands prix.

Haas chalked up 20 points from the races in Austria and Silverstone, more than its total from the previous 43 grands prix combined.

It is a dramatic turnaround in form that has allowed Haas to elevate itself clear of the bottom three teams in Alpine, Williams, and Stake, and to within four of sixth-placed RB.

Although the result in Austria, where Nico Hulkenberg was sixth and Kevin Magnussen eighth, was aided by the retirement of Lando Norris in his McLaren late on, the former's sixth-placed result in the British Grand Prix was on merit.

Haas delivered a major upgrade package for that race, allowing Hulkenberg to qualify superbly in sixth, and then show race pace in changeable conditions with a result that matched his grid slot.

As for the aim now for team boss Komatsu, speaking to Sky Sports F1, he said: "RB for sure. We've scored 20 points in two races, so we're four points behind. We have to aim for the next step so P6 is our new target now."

Haas show teamwork makes the dream work

For Komatsu, the past two weekends have banished the misery of what unfolded in Monaco and Canada and underlined his team can pull together under pressure.

In Monaco, Hulkenberg and Magnussen were disqualified from the qualifying classification due to an incorrect measurement taken with a new rear wing; in Canada, "a basic mistake", according to Komatsu, occurred when the wrong tyres were fitted to Magnussen's car.

Komatsu hammered home the message on both occasions, especially after Canada, that greater communication was required.

The outcome was witnessed in the Austrian and British GPs, to which Komatsu said: "I'm really happy for everyone. There's been lots of hard work, lots of questions about upgrades. Look at that! The guys delivered.

"I've always believed we've got amazing people at the factory. It was a matter of putting it together, and this is the proof.

"Nico qualified P6, and with the conditions [in the race] pretty difficult. We had to fit the right tyres at the right moments. It sounds simple, but it's not easy. The boys delivered. I can't be more proud.

"All the communication we have been working on. Okay, it wasn't perfect, but it's much better. Everybody is doing their job, working together.

"Just the teamwork, honestly, it's so rewarding, and I'm so happy for everyone in the team. We're up against it but look what we can deliver. It's amazing."