The Haas F1 team has officially confirmed the departure of team boss Guenther Steiner. Japanese Ayao Komatsu will replace Steiner with immediate effect.
Earlier today there were already speculations that Guenther Steiner would leave the Haas F1 team. After all, Steiner’s name had suddenly disappeared from the American team’s website. Ultimately, official confirmation followed that Komatsu had been appointed as Steiner’s successor.
Guenther Steiner seems to be paying the price for another disappointing season in which the Haas F1 team finished last in the constructors’ championship last year. Ayao Komatsu has more than twenty years of experience in Formula 1 and has worked for the Haas F1 team since 2016 when the team made its debut in Formula 1.
“I would like to start by thanking Guenther Steiner for all the hard work he has put in over the years and I wish him the best for the future,” said team owner Gene Haas. “We want to move forward with the team and it is clear that we need to improve our performance on the track. By appointing Ayao Komatsu as team principal, we have engineering experience at the heart of our management.”
“We have had some successes, but we must be consistent in delivering results that will help us achieve broader goals for our organization. We need to be efficient with our resources, but we need to improve our design and engineering capabilities, which is the key to success.”
“I look forward to working with Ayao and ensuring we maximize our potential. This reflects my desire to compete in Formula 1.”
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has appointed Ayao Komatsu as its new Team Principal with Guenther Steiner departing the organization.#HaasF1
— MoneyGram Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) January 10, 2024