Ayao Komatsu has revealed that Gene Haas is “not interested” in selling his eponymous Formula 1 team, despite “numerous offers” in recent months.
The American outfit has enjoyed a bright start to the 2025 season, with its new driver pairing of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman amassing 29 points between them, half its 2024 total.
It also reached the F1 cost cap for the first time in its history, suggesting an upward trajectory in many areas, amid its continuing partnership with Ferrari, combined with its newer one with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The team saw a big change prior to last year, with its longstanding boss Guenther Steiner leaving the team after his contract was not renewed, paving the way for Komatsu to take over.
Komatsu has been part of the furniture at the team, being its trackside engineering director since its inception in 2016.
And he revealed to media including Motorsport Week ahead of the British Grand Prix that Haas himself has received a number of bids for the team, but has rebuffed them all, amid newfound enjoyment for the sport.
“This year when he came to Miami, I could see that he actually enjoyed just being there,” Komatsu said..
“He always asks lots of technical questions because he’s interested, but that hasn’t changed. On top of that, he was just enjoying the occasion.
“I thought, ‘wow, I’m going to ask him if he wants to drive in Goodwood’. He didn’t know much about Goodwood, but now he’s driving, he read about it, and he’s really excited for him to again experience things like that.”
‘Engaged’ Haas striving to improve the team
Komatsu explained that Haas is now “engaged” in the team’s bid for progress, shown by his continuing unwillingness to sell the Banbury-based squad, saying he is “grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed.”
“Honestly, [Haas] seen lots of changes,” he added.
“He’s so engaged now. He understands the details as well.
“What’s the best way to put it? He’s always been very passionate about the sport and the result. He always wants us to improve, which is what we need from the owner. He was always behind us.
“I don’t know everything, but in the last 18 months he’s had numerous offers to buy the team.
“He’s not interested. He really enjoys being the owner of the F1 team. Currently one out of 10, from next year one out of 11. That’s such a privileged position to be in.
“He came in at a time when F1 wasn’t like this. He stuck with us during such a difficult period of COVID. Now he’s enjoying it.”
Komatsu confirmed that many bidders have come in to take the team on, but Haas has turned them all down, much to his increasing frustration.
“He’s not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it — not interested. He even got annoyed that these guys are asking so many times.”
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