Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu was “delighted” to have executed a “perfect race” that delivered a point through Nico Hulkenberg in Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix.
Last weekend saw Haas bag a points finish for the third time in the opening five rounds of the season to climb closer to RB for sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Komatsu explained that the result had been possible due to “brilliant” optimisation during the race and fortuitous circumstances with Valtteri Bottas retiring on Lap 22.
“It was amazing to get a point again today with Nico. In terms of Nico’s race, from everyone – driving, operations, pit-stop, it was perfection. We knew exactly what we had to do in terms of getting ourselves into a good position to get that point – initially against Bottas,” the Japanese engineer explained.
“Both communication and execution were good. Honestly, I think we managed to execute a perfect race with Nico – it was brilliant.”
Hulkenberg mentioned ahead of the weekend that he expected a tough race due to Shanghai’s characteristics, but he converted a Q3 appearance into another point.
Asked about these expectations after the race, Hulkenberg mentioned that “it was still thought,” as points are only up for grabs if the top five teams go through issues.
“It was still tough, I mean it’s never a walk in the park but I think it was well managed, well controlled from our side so you know very positive and happy about that that we got that one point which was up for grabs,” Hulkenberg expressed.
“But it shows that one of the top five cars had a problem and that’s the spot we kind of sold because of it otherwise you know it’s not really possible to race with them but it also just shows that you know we need to have perfect like a perfect Saturday in Quali and Sunday to be able to be where we are.”
Looking ahead to the Miami Grand Prix, the German said he expects another big challenge and another hot race, which will presumably play a role in tyre degradation.
“Obviously, straight into another Sprint weekend, always challenging,” he previewed.
“I expect a hot race again so not sure quite what to expect, I liked it there last year was my first time so just happy to go.”
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