Haas crew 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 by way of the gates throughout the three days – up by 44,000 from final 12 months.
It marked the best trackside attendance on the Japanese Grand Prix since 2006, when Fernando Alonso gained 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 Purple Bull crew, with Tsunoda additionally selling the race in a showrun in Tokyo forward of the grand prix.
Japan’s greatest firm Toyota additionally had an in depth presence within the fanzone at Suzuka, having returned to F1 this 12 months as a technical associate for Komatsu’s Haas crew.
One other addition to this weekend’s programme was Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa, who drove the Alpine F1 automobile in first apply, giving the native crowd two residence drivers to cheer for.
Komatsu, who took over the reins at Haas final 12 months, expressed his pleasure at seeing F1 take pleasure in an upturn in recognition in his residence nation after a protracted interval of decline within the 2010s.
“I do not know if we’re a number one nation, however actually after a little bit of a dip in recognition of System 1 in Japan, I believe the curiosity is certainly coming again,” he stated.
“Once more, what Yuki is doing this 12 months, or final 12 months like Laurent [Mekies] stated, he made a large step that was seen to everybody, and for him, for a Japanese driver, to drive for one of many high 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 this stuff assist. Additionally, I believe 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 rely, 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 fashioned a detailed relationship with Romain Grosjean.
He adopted Grosjean to the newly-formed Haas crew in 2016, taking up the function of trackside engineer.
He was introduced as its crew principal in January 2024 after proprietor Gene Haas determined in opposition to renewing the contract of Guenther Steiner.
Requested what recommendation he had for budding engineers and crew managers from Japan, Komatsu stated: “After I received taken with System 1 after I was a child, all of the others other than 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 inform you that you just can’t do it. You understand, you are able to do just about something, I believe, in case you put your thoughts to it and dedicate your life to it.
“I believe 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, in case you strive, even in case you fail, it form of doesn’t matter.
“So long as you place all the pieces into it, even in case you don’t make it to the unique aim, 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.”
