Team Principal Komatsu admits problems: Haas tests new brake material

– Haas is foregoing major aerodynamic upgrades at the Belgian Grand Prix, but the US team still has an important test scheduled. The focus is on a new brake material with which Haas wants to get to the bottom of a recurring weakness of its VF-26.

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Team principal Ayao Komatsu makes it clear: The material itself does not necessarily have to be the problem – the crucial thing is first to identify the actual cause at all. When asked whether Haas is bringing a new front wing package or other updates this weekend, Komatsu answers briefly: “No. We are only testing a different brake material.”

That such a test immediately raises questions about possible brake problems does not surprise the Japanese man much. However, his answer is more nuanced than one might initially expect. “No, we don’t just have brake problems,” Komatsu clarifies. “We have many problems.”

Brakes are among several open issues

However, the Haas team principal does not want to completely rule out the brakes as the cause either. Rather, he describes a complex interplay of various factors that currently influence the vehicle’s performance.

“One of our problems is definitely a certain inconsistency when braking,” Komatsu explains. At the same time, he emphasizes that this does not automatically mean that the brake material used is faulty. “I’m not saying the brake material itself is the problem. It’s more about how we use it.”

In addition, the drivers also have different preferences when it comes to braking behavior. This further complicates the analysis. “There are also driver preferences. That’s why we want to investigate all possibilities.”

One driving behavior can have multiple causes

According to Komatsu, this is precisely the biggest challenge. A certain driving behavior does not necessarily have to be attributed to a single cause. “If you see a certain handling problem in the end, there can be five different causes for it.”

The brakes are just one of them. “We simply cannot exclude them. That’s why it’s extremely important to test them.” Only when individual influencing factors can be systematically ruled out can the team work specifically on the actual problems.

Haas finally wants to gain clarity

Komatsu describes the current development process almost like a process of elimination. Instead of immediately developing new parts, the goal is first to gain reliable insights. “The minimum we have to do is test the brakes and either rule them out or confirm them as the cause.”

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Because as long as several possible sources of error exist simultaneously, any further development becomes significantly more difficult. “We can’t just continue with four unknown factors without knowing which one is actually the main problem.”

Four factors are suspected

Komatsu names several areas that could be responsible for the difficulties. The brake material is only one of a total of four points. As further possibilities, he first mentions the vehicle setup. “It could simply be our setup.”

Also conceivable are fundamental characteristics of the vehicle itself. “It could be fundamental characteristics of our car.” And finally, the individual driving style of the drivers also plays a role. “Maybe it also has to do with the way our drivers move the car.”

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Only then does the brake material follow as the fourth possible influencing factor. “If we can rule out or identify these factors individually, we will finally know what we need to work on.”

Are there parallels to Ferrari?

During the press conference, Komatsu was also asked about Ferrari. The Scuderia had repeatedly complained about difficulties with brake feel in recent weeks. A journalist wanted to know if there was a connection between the two teams.

Komatsu’s answer was clear, however. “Honestly, I don’t really know exactly what problems Ferrari has. I’ve heard comments from the drivers, but I don’t know what the actual cause is there.”

Therefore, he also does not want to make comparisons. “All I know is what our drivers sometimes struggle with on certain tracks or under certain conditions.” Precisely for this reason, Haas wants to avoid prematurely blaming a single cause.

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“Maybe in the end, the whole thing has nothing to do with the brakes at all.”