Haas group principal Ayao Komatsu claims Japan is witnessing a resurgence in curiosity in System 1 after a “dip in recognition” in earlier years.
F1 raced in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Suzuka Circuit final weekend, with 266,000 spectators coming via the gates throughout the three days – up by 44,000 from final yr.
It marked the very best trackside attendance on the Japanese Grand Prix since 2006, when Fernando Alonso received the race from fifth on the grid for Renault.
The ticket gross sales had been boosted by Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion to the Honda-powered Pink Bull group, with Tsunoda additionally selling the race in a showrun in Tokyo forward of the grand prix.
Japan’s greatest firm Toyota additionally had an intensive presence within the fanzone at Suzuka, having returned to F1 this yr as a technical associate for Komatsu’s Haas group.
One other addition to this weekend’s programme was Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa, who drove the Alpine F1 automotive in first apply, giving the native crowd two dwelling drivers to cheer for.
Komatsu, who took over the reins at Haas final yr, expressed his pleasure at seeing F1 take pleasure in an upturn in recognition in his dwelling nation after an extended interval of decline within the 2010s.
“I do not know if we’re a number one nation, however definitely after a little bit of a dip in recognition of System 1 in Japan, I feel the curiosity is unquestionably coming again,” he mentioned.
“Once more, what Yuki is doing this yr, or final yr like Laurent [Mekies] mentioned, he made a large step that was seen to everybody, and for him, for a Japanese driver, to drive for one of many prime groups, it’s by no means occurred earlier than. That’s an enormous story and that is actually gaining momentum once more right here.
“Hirakawa, an excellent driver, getting out in FP1, all these items assist. Additionally, I feel having this F1 race in springtime right here helps as nicely. It is not only one factor.
“I’ve heard that the occasion in Tokyo was very profitable. So all these bits and items depend, and I can solely see constructive indicators. So yeah, actually thrilling time.”
Born in Tokyo in 1976, Komatsu began his F1 profession within the early 2000s as a tyre engineer for BAR earlier than transferring to Renault, the place he shaped a detailed relationship with Romain Grosjean.
He adopted Grosjean to the newly-formed Haas group in 2016, taking over the position of trackside engineer.
He was introduced as its group principal in January 2024 after proprietor Gene Haas determined towards renewing the contract of Guenther Steiner.
Requested what recommendation he had for budding engineers and group managers from Japan, Komatsu mentioned: “After I bought enthusiastic about System 1 once I was a child, all of the others aside from my mother and father instructed me: ‘Don’t be so silly. You’ll by no means make it.’
“I didn’t hearken to any of them. So my recommendation can be: don’t hearken to these individuals who let you know that you simply can’t do it. , you are able to do just about something, I feel, should you put your thoughts to it and dedicate your life to it.
“I feel it’s simply that generally step one is the toughest one to make, however I hope that individuals have the braveness to make that first step in making the dream. As a result of to me, should you strive, even should you fail, it sort of doesn’t matter.
“So long as you place every little thing into it, even should you don’t make it to the unique objective, you study one thing from it. After which as a human being, you should utilize that at your subsequent stage in your life. So please, simply take that preliminary step.”
