Haas’ journey to 200 races and where the team can go from here

Haas F1 Team is set to mark a significant milestone at this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, competing in their 200th race. As Formula 1's first American-led team in three decades, Haas debuted in Australia ten years ago, immediately making an impact by scoring points with Romain Grosjean. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu expressed immense pride in the journey, reflecting on the team's evolution from a challenging start in 2016 to becoming a consistent midfield contender. Komatsu highlighted Gene Haas's unwavering commitment as an owner, emphasizing his dedication to the team's competitiveness rather than its sale. The team has navigated through tough periods, including a winless 2021 season and the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Despite being the smallest team on the grid in terms of personnel and budget, Haas has frequently overperformed, securing notable results like Kevin Magnussen's pole position in Interlagos. Under Komatsu's leadership for the past 18 months, Haas has shown significant improvement, finishing seventh in the Constructors' Championship last season and maintaining a strong performance this year. Komatsu's vision for the future involves establishing Haas at the top of the midfield, a step he believes is crucial before aiming to challenge the sport's top teams.