JA on F1 podcast: Meet the leader making F1's smallest team punch above its weight

This week we have the latest in our series of F1 team principal interviews as we meet Ayao Komatsu at the HQ of Haas, F1’s smallest team.

What Haas may lack in headcount, they more than make up for in team spirit, as this engaging interview reveals.

Ayao has been at Haas since the team debuted in 2016. Last season Gene Haas picked him to succeed the charismatic but sweary Guenther Steiner as team principal. Ayao was born in Japan and moved to England as a teenager to study English and pursue his dream of working in F1. He rose through the ranks as an engineer with Lotus and Renault, where he worked closely with Romain Grosjean.

As a highly competitive F1 season comes to a close, Haas is fighting Aston Martin and Racing Bulls for 6th in the constructors’ championship. Ayao reflects on some key decisions taken earlier this season which have boosted Haas’ recent competitiveness. Oliver Bearman equalled the team’s best ever result with fourth in Mexico and then backed that up with another strong points haul in Brazil.

Joining James Allen in the studio for a wraparound chat is former Red Bull and Aston Martin F1 technical leader Dan Fallows.

Send your comments or questions to: @jamesallenonf1 on X or jamesallenonf1@autosport.com.