Haas undergo much-needed transformation<\/h2>\n
In a sport with big manufacturers like Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda<\/a> (in addition to Audi and Ford incoming), Haas have always been severely outgunned.<\/p>\n A lack of resources, both in terms of personnel and infrastructure, traditionally prevented Haas from cementing themselves in the midfield.<\/p>\n Prior to last season, the US outfit often found themselves near the bottom of the standings – only finishing higher than 8th in the standings on one occasion (2018).<\/p>\n However, team principal Ayao Komatsu<\/a> can be credited with completely transforming the fortunes at Haas since being promoted to the position in 2024.<\/p>\n From an operational standpoint, they are a completely different proposition.<\/p>\n After spending years with virtually non-existent mid-season development, Haas made impressive gains throughout last season.<\/p>\n They even out-developed the likes of Aston Martin and VCARB – which shouldn’t be overlooked given Haas’ track record.<\/p>\n Securing 7th in the standings was not the only big news for Komatsu’s engineers last season.<\/p>\n A series of transformative sponsorship agreements, including a technical and commercial partnership with Toyota<\/a>, mean that Haas are now operating at the budget cap.<\/p>\n They are also profitable, as Ayao Komatsu explains:<\/p>\n “This year is the first time that, as a company, Gene doesn\u2019t have to put his own money in,” he told Lawrence Barretto<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n “We haven\u2019t been hitting the budget cap, [but] we are hitting it this year.<\/em><\/p>\n “So, we have a different challenge of making sure we stay within the budget cap.<\/em><\/p>\n “It\u2019s great that we finally got here, but in terms of mindset, it\u2019s the same thing like trackside engineering.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe really had to change the mindset of everyone, [of] what is acceptable and what we have to strive for.”<\/em><\/p>\n When F1 first introduced the budget cap, there was a massive disparity in the spending between Haas and other midfield teams – let alone the front-runners.<\/p>\n Finally reaching the budget cap and some degree of financial parity with their rivals, especially given last year’s results, is a huge milestone.<\/p>\n The fact Haas are also making profit (thanks to increased prize money and key sponsorship deals), is another noteworthy development.<\/p>\n It gives the US team better prospects of being self-sufficient in the long term.<\/p>\n Moreover, their improved financials will make it easier to recruit engineers and technicians.<\/p>\n This is the one area Haas desperately need to address<\/a>, given they have hundreds fewer staff than other teams:<\/p>\n “So it\u2019s a whole different mindset,” <\/em>continued Komatsu.<\/p>\n “But if you want to be competitive, that\u2019s minimum where you should be.<\/em><\/p>\n “So, finally, it feels like we\u2019re ticking many boxes \u2013 start doing TPC [Testing Previous Cars], be on the budget cap and being profitable.<\/em><\/p>\n “With the prize money from last year, sponsorship money this year, Gene shouldn’t have to put his money in. It\u2019s the first time.”<\/em><\/p>\n Successfully signing Grand Prix winner Esteban Ocon was further evidence that Haas are now an attractive destination.<\/p>\n Of course, it would be a stretch to suggest all of their shortcomings have disappeared.<\/p>\n From an infrastructural perspective, for example, Haas still need a new simulator<\/a>.<\/p>\n In this department, Toyota will play a key role in building and later operating this vital piece of technology.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2024\/08\/1020309132-LAT-20240726-GP2414_113610SB2_8621-982-1024x683.jpg\")
A new era for Haas<\/h4>\n