Ayo Komatsu: We are not outsiders.

      Haas F1 team principal Aio Komatsu believes that the regulatory changes for the 2026 season put the American team at a disadvantage…

      Aio Komatsu: "In 2017 only the aerodynamics changed, but now both the aerodynamics and the power units are changing. A lot will depend on energy recovery and how it's used; the driver's role in this is extremely important, and all of this is dialed in on the simulator, where we are currently seriously behind.

      After the switch to the new regulations we will find ourselves at a disadvantage, so we need to act quickly to get up to speed and find an approach. It's a kind of forced measure. With any significant rule change, the advantage goes to the larger, more experienced teams, because they have established processes, working methods and the necessary facilities, in particular a modern simulator. And here we are losing on every count.

      On the other hand, if that were the only issue, we'd finish last every season. Other teams have more staff and better equipment, but last year we were seventh, just eight points off sixth. We are not outsiders. We fight in the midfield, make it into the final round of qualifying, achieving success through factors that can't be objectively measured.

      Of course we have a chance. But we shouldn't overestimate our capabilities compared with other teams. They have smart people working for them too. As I said at the start of 2024 in Bahrain, I expected we'd be last. And that wasn't a slip of the tongue. I really did think so."