48-year-old team principal spotted ‘leading from the front’ during Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

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The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix was a very positive race for Haas and their new team principal Ayao Komatsu.

The American team scored their first point of the season thanks to Nico Hulkenberg and the amazing defensive driving of Kevin Magnussen.

Speaking on The Fast and The Curious Podcast, journalist Christian Hewgill spotted what the 48-year-old team principal was doing on the pit wall during the race.

Haas boss Komatsu loved team’s performance during Saudi Arabia GP

There’s a clear gap on the Formula 1 grid this season between the top five teams and the bottom five teams during the 2024 season.

In the first race in Bahrain, Red, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin filled all ten points-scoring positions, despite Lance Stroll being spun at the first corner.

However, when the Canadian put his car in the barrier in Jeddah, suddenly there was an opportunity for the other five manufacturers.

Magnussen may have picked up some penalties but suddenly had the chance to open up a gap for his teammate on the alternative strategy.

He did so brilliantly and the German’s single point could end up being crucial at the end of the season.

Ayao Komatsu will be delighted with Haas earning a 10^th-place finish in Saudi Arabia and the teamwork his drivers showed.

They’re going to have a much more difficult time using that strategy in Melbourne given the nature of the track but last year’s race in Australia showed anything can happen.

Haas finally taking steps forward after tough 2023

Talking about the race, Hewgill said: “Haas really interests me because there was a point in the weekend where they cut to a shot of the team on the pit wall as they do several times during a race.

“But [Ayao] Komatsu was so animated on the pit wall, it was a proper example of leading from the front, he was doing his pointing, he was talking to everyone.

“They saw an opportunity to sacrifice one driver’s race in Kevin Magnussen in order to get Nico [Hulkenberg] a point and they executed it perfectly.

“And that’s what you’ve got to do in Formula 1, you’ve got to take advantage of these tiny [advantages].

“I think under Komatsu, Haas have taken a step forward.”

Komatsu and Haas still have a long way to go despite the result in Saudi Arabia.

Hulkenberg’s fantastic ability to get the most out of his car in qualifying combined with the improved tyre management of the car could earn them a few points this season.

Ultimately, it’s going to come down to which of the bottom five teams can improve their car the quickest to challenge Aston Martin in the coming races.