Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu says the factors the group has already scored at the US Grand Prix are large in its battle for sixth place within the constructors’ championship.
Kevin Magnussen completed seventh and Nico Hulkenberg eighth in Saturday’s Dash race to offer Haas three factors and transfer it degree on factors with RB within the standings. Haas is ranked forward of RB in sixth place as a result of its larger finishes in grands prix up to now this season – a pair of sixth locations – and Komatsu says it was an especially satisfying end result even earlier than in the present day’s important occasion.
“Actually, scoring P7 and P8 within the Dash is wonderful,” Komatsu instructed SiriusXM. “We’re the fifth quickest automotive and in case you take a look at our tempo on the finish of that Dash in opposition to [Sergio] Perez, he wasn’t faster. That was actually satisfying, I believe we managed it very effectively, in order that reveals that our race tempo is sweet.
“Qualifying to be sincere, we have been all a bit deflated and somewhat bit disillusioned as a result of once more Nico ought to have been in Q3, however he locked up twice into Flip 1. And it wasn’t a small mistake, it’s 4 tenths and 5 tenths. Then if you take a look at his Sector 3 he’s once more one of many quickest, so the potential is there, and with Nico’s facet we didn’t maximize it. In order that’s very irritating to be out in Q2.
“Kevin, I believe we’ve to offer him credit score. He tailored to the brand new package deal very effectively. He had the previous package deal till the Dash, so between the Dash and qualifying we upgraded his automotive as a result of Nico’s knowledge was very constructive. Kevin mentioned with the brand new package deal the automotive is certainly faster, however nonetheless you’ve acquired to adapt to it, and he’s completed it very, very effectively.
“Moving into Q3 was good, and in Q3 he was already three tenths up however then we acquired the yellow flag from [George] Russell so he couldn’t higher his lap time. But it surely was an excellent effort. And I’m actually trying ahead to the race as a result of I believe we’ve an excellent race automotive.”
Komatsu says the result’s much more vital as a result of Haas was specializing in its efficiency for Sunday’s grand prix relatively than the shorter race.
“It’s large, completely large. Additionally at first of the season, or to be sincere simply coming right here for a Dash weekend, we actually centered on the race as a result of the Dash is barely the highest eight that scores factors, so it’s actually tough to attain factors. So to really have each automobiles within the prime eight – P7 and P8 – is testomony to everybody’s effort.
“It’s actually satisfying. Only a bit disappointing that we couldn’t again it up in qualifying, however I assume it’s good to be a bit disillusioned with P9 and P12, and we are able to undoubtedly go for factors with each automobiles.”
