P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed the extent to which Haas are on the back foot compared with rival teams, saying that the American squad is going into the first Chinese Grand Prix in five years “more blind” than established outfits.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed his concerns ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, pointing out the challenges the team faces due to the limited preparation compared to its rivals. The return of F1 to the Shanghai International Circuit after two years raised discussions about the track surface condition and the unfamiliarity of using Bitumen treatment. Komatsu emphasized worries about the track’s consistency and the lack of practice time during the sprint weekend format, which adds to the overall challenge. Despite difficulties, Haas has been struggling with limited tools and simulator resources compared to bigger teams, making the race weekend in China even more unpredictable. Komatsu admitted that Haas might be “more blind” than established teams, highlighting the unknown variables as the biggest challenge for the team in China.
