Ayao Komatsu reveals how Gene Haas repeatedly rejects offers to sell the F1 team. Ayao Komatsu reveals that despite persistent takeover offers, team owner Gene Haas remains fully committed and passionate about the F1 team,.

Haas Formula 1 team has been experiencing a turbulent period due to the inconsistent performance of the VF-25 car. Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman are doing their best to bring the American squad back into the top 10, but the challenge remains significant. Work on the ambitious 2026 project continues relentlessly, and the team principal, Ayao Komatsu, took the opportunity to express his gratitude to Gene Haas, the team owner, for his invaluable and steadfast support.

Komatsu also revealed that the American businessman has been approached by several potential buyers interested in purchasing the team: “He has always been extremely passionate about this sport and about results. He constantly wants us to improve, which is exactly what we need from an owner,” Komatsu said. “He is always supportive. I don’t know every detail, but I am aware that over the past 18 months he has received numerous offers to buy the team, but he has no interest in selling. I can tell you that recently some people have been very persistent in trying to buy the team, but he wasn’t interested. He even got irritated because these guys kept asking him over and over.”

“He really enjoys being the current owner of an F1 team. He came in when the sport wasn’t as prominent, stayed with us through the difficult Covid period, and now he’s enjoying it,” Komatsu added.

Memorable experiences with Gene Haas

Komatsu also managed to convince Gene Haas to take part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend, where Haas got behind the wheel of the 2023 VF-23 car: “When he arrived in Miami for the Grand Prix earlier in May, I noticed how much he enjoyed simply being there. He always asks a lot of technical questions because he’s genuinely interested, and that hasn’t changed. But this time, he was just enjoying the moment.”

“That’s when I thought to ask him if he would drive at Goodwood. For him, experiencing things like this adds another dimension to his life.” In closing the interview, the Haas team principal reiterated his gratitude toward Gene Haas, who strongly believes in the team: “We are grateful to have such a passionate owner, so committed and actively involved in the work at the factory,” Komatsu concluded.