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By Saajan Jogia
Sports Contributing Writer
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Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has opened up on the numerous offers people made in the last 18 months to purchase the American outfit, with some even "pushing" to seal a deal, as Haas enters its tenth year in Formula One. He also highlighted the role of team owner Gene Haas and his dedication to keeping the team on the F1 grid.
Komatsu has been a part of Haas since its F1 journey began in 2016, standing by through its highs and lows. The team witnessed huge challenges in the Covid-19-affected year of 2020, with struggles continuing through to the 2023 season when Haas finished last in the Constructors' Championship.
Then-team principal Guenther Steiner was ousted ahead of the 2024 season, the year in which Haas witnessed significant progress under Komatsu. The managerial changes and failures from 2023 prompted several parties to approach Gene with offers to buy the team. However, Komatsu emphasized that Gene is passionate about F1 and has no interest in selling the team.
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Opening up on his upcoming run with Gene at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a Haas VF-23 F1 car to celebrate the team's tenth anniversary, Komatsu said ahead of the British GP:
"This year when he [Gene] came to Miami, I could see that he actually enjoyed just being there.
"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."
Addressing the pushy offers that came Gene's way to acquire Haas, Komatsu added:
"Honestly, he's seen lots of changes. 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.
"Honestly, Gene's so committed. He's coming here [to Silverstone], obviously. He's arriving Friday or tomorrow and then staying for Goodwood. He's enjoying it. That's the main thing.
"We are grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed. He's not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it, [Gene's] not interested. He got even annoyed that these guys are asking so many times."
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