At the beginning of the year, there were significant changes at the Haas Formula 1 team. Guenther Steiner’s departure as team principal came as a surprise, followed by the exit of technical director Simone Resta.
With less than two months until the new season, Haas was preparing for fresh leadership in both the overall team management and technical department responsible for the Ferrari partnership with Dallara manufacturing.
Given the team’s struggles in the previous year, particularly with tire wear and race pace, new team principal Ayao Komatsu set low expectations for the start of the season. Komatsu anticipated Haas to be at the back of the grid or even last in Bahrain.
But Komatsu highlighted the appointment of Andrea De Zordo as the new technical director, praising his technical expertise, communication skills, and dedication to improving the team.
De Zordo, who previously worked alongside Resta, faced the challenge of addressing Haas’ issues from the previous year’s major upgrade at Circuit of The Americas, which hindered both short-term performance and delayed development for the 2024 car.
Despite initial concerns about taking on the technical director role for the first time, De Zordo adapted to the new responsibilities and formed a strong working relationship with Komatsu.
Under De Zordo’s leadership, Haas saw improvements with upgrades that positively impacted the team’s performance at the British Grand Prix, indicating a step in the right direction.
Looking ahead, De Zordo emphasized the need for continuous improvement and the importance of addressing key areas for further development to remain competitive in the evolving Formula 1 landscape.
As Haas gears up for the upcoming challenges, De Zordo is focused on guiding the team towards success in the midst of changing regulations and heightened competition.
With a track record of strong performances at the start of new rules cycles, De Zordo is determined to navigate Haas through the upcoming transitions and lead the team to further achievements in the future.
