Komatsu to lay down 'clear rules of engagement' for new Haas duo
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Read also: Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu is laying the groundwork for a smooth working relationship – on and off the track – for the US outfit's new drivers, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
With a mix of experience and youth, Komatsu is determined to lay down clear "rules of engagement" before the first race in Australia, emphasizing that teamwork and mutual respect will be pivotal.
Haas' new lineup marks a fresh start for the teams following two harmonious years with Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg, who, despite past tensions, always worked well together. developed a strong working relationship.
However, the arrival of the feisty Ocon, known for his hard racing style, and rookie Bearman presents new challenges.
Rules of Engagement from Day One
Speaking earlier this week during a media session, Komatsu stressed the importance of setting expectations early to avoid unnecessary incidents between the two drivers.
"The rules of engagement have to be totally clear from day one," he stated. "So that will be clarified before the first race.
"You know, I don't expect any teammate contact or DNFs because of that. But it's good you have to race hard.
"Look at last year with Kevin, he is a hard racer, and [with] Kevin and Nico, the closest we came to an issue that didn't become an issue was Austria.
"That was partly because we operated in a not-perfect manner, in terms of pitstop timing, etc. We didn't help ourselves.
"So as a team, we shouldn't be creating those messes but also with the understanding of each other as a teammate, the rules of engagement will be perfectly clear."
Ocon's history of on-track clashes with former teammates, such as his fiery battles with Sergio Perez at Force India and with Fernando Alonso at Alpine, underscores the importance of Komatsu's proactive approach.
Bearman Not Treated as a Rookie
Bearman is on the eve of his first full season in the sport after appearing last year in three races, when circumstances pushed him on to the grid.
The 19-year-old, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, scored points in his debut race in Saudi Arabia last year with Ferrari and later impressed as a stand-in for Haas at Baku and Interlagos.
Komatsu has full confidence in the Scuderia's protégé and insists Bearman will not be treated as a traditional rookie.
"If you look at how we operated last year, and then how we can improve as a team – what we did well last year, what we could have improved, and then take that learning for this year," he explained.
"So honestly, with Esteban and Ollie, two very, very good drivers, Ollie is a rookie but I don't treat him as a rookie.
"I said to him he can drive a lot with these young engineers as well, and grow together. We don't treat him as a rookie, in the sense that we pay lots of attention to what he has to say.
"Because he's got good experience in Ferrari's simulator and he's been driving our car, the VF-23 and VF-24.
"Every time he gets in the car, his feedback has been excellent, his approach has been excellent, and his speed has been great.
"You saw Baku, and Interlagos, both qualifying sessions, he out-qualified Nico, who was our reference.
So, I think we have a very good combination. Really looking forward to it."
Haas aims to build on lessons learned in 2024 to maximize performance this season.
Komatsu is confident in the potential of Ocon's experience and Bearman's raw talent to push the team forward, so long as both drivers understand their roles and responsibilities on and off the track.
With clear expectations and a focus on teamwork, Haas is looking to strike a balance between competitive racing and maintaining harmony within the garage.
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