Haas completed a successful week at Bahrain round 2 of F1 pre-season testing in 2026.
They had been running the cars over–what might seem like an error but isn’t–404 laps. Breaking it down, Haas improved from 107 laps to 127 to 170 in three days.
Speaking to F1 TV, Ayao Komatsu, shared his thoughts his team’s progress ahead the 2026 season, praising everyone’s efforts during the pre-season testing phase.
Komatsu satisfied with the results with the new car
Looking at the stats Haas has gathered across the past weeks, the American-owned team is visibly in good shape. Nonetheless, Komatsu explained that Haas progress during the F1 test runs ahead 2026 was no picnic.
“Yeah, I think we’ve had a very good three tests. Barcelona shakedown, Bahrain one, Bahrain two. I think along the way, it was really important to get the ground, you know, hit the ground running in Barcelona, which we managed to achieve. That was lots of effort. You know, it’s a huge, huge effort, but everything rolls over.
“You had a good day, first day, 154 laps, Barcelona, Monday. That means you can do certain preparation for data in Barcelona, day three. Then all the learnings you get from Barcelona rolls on to Bahrain test one. Same here.
“And then these are three days, final three days of testing here in Bahrain. Again, I think we had a good run program, really gaining understanding every day. So I’ve been, let’s say, reasonably happy with the progress we’ve been making.”
Proud of his team’s effort
On the second day of F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain round 2, Esteban Ocon had experienced technical issues. Fortunately, the team sorted the car overnight in time for day 3. Pushed on reliability, Komatsu explained that these pre-season test runs are to make mistakes to progress ahead of the 2026 F1 campaign.
“Yeah, reliability, it’s been good, but it’s not been problem-free. But that’s what our testing is for. So again, we are getting on top of it.
“In terms of performance, again, we’re learning every day. You know, these early days in this brand new regulation, both PU side and the aerodynamic side, it’s a huge learning curve for everyone, especially for us.
“So especially this test, actually, these three days, every day we are making small progress. You know, because again, that’s why it’s very, very important to have a good run program and execute it so that during night our guys can look at it, then guys can work on it in the garage, and then that means next day you make a small step. Again, it’s just continuation of that. So I’m really actually proud of everyone’s effort here.”
Compared to 2025, Haas’s potential looks similar heading into F1 2026, believes Ayao Komatsu
Haas F1 Team finished the 2025 season 8th in the constructors’ standings, with the new regulations the dynamics on track have changed instantly.
When asked to reflect on where Haas is in the rankings, Komatsu reckoned there is no definitive answer until Melbourne.
“To be accurate, it’s very, very difficult. You know, even with the stable regulations, you know, tiny difference in the fuel load will skew those rankings, right? And then this year, on top of that, we have a brand new PU manufacturers energy deployment difference,” he explained.
“So it’s very difficult to be precise. But I think at least we are in the mix, in the midfield fighting against people like Alpine, RB, Audi. So that’s really encouraging.
“Honestly, because last year, we couldn’t give up last year. I had to really fight until the end. So we are doing a parallel program of ’25 development and ’26 development.
“So I kind of prepared myself to face much tougher situation. But again, thanks to everyone’s effort, you know, we have a good reliability, decent baseline, good foundation.”
Komatsu believes the efforts of Haas F1 Team are already paying off
When asked to share his thoughts as the Team Principal regarding the build-up to this moment, Komatsu admitted it was: “Incredibly tough, incredibly tough.”
“I mean, to do the shakedown in Fiorano on Saturday, to make that happen was a huge effort. Some people didn’t sleep at all for a few nights. And then to actually run in Fiorano in Italy on Saturday and then start running in Barcelona 9am on Monday.
“Basically, what normally takes two days, we’ve done it in half a day of several hours. It’s just a huge effort. But yeah, I mean, that’s why I’m really proud of this team. You know, when going gets tough, everybody comes together and make it happen.
“It’s been tough, but it’s been actually a rewarding experience.”
