Ayao Komatsu

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Ayao Komatsu (Japanese: 小松 礼雄) was born on 28 January 1976 in Tokyo, Japan. He studied at Loughborough University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Automotive Engineering and a PhD in Vehicle Dynamics and Control. He began his Formula One career in 2003 as a tyre engineer with BAR, then moved to Renault in 2006 as a performance and race engineer, working with drivers such as Nelson Piquet Jr., Romain Grosjean and Vitaly Petrov. In 2012 he joined Lotus as chief race engineer, helping Grosjean and the Enstone team to podiums, including at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix. When Grosjean joined Haas in 2016, Komatsu followed as trackside engineering director. On 10 January 2024, he became team principal of Haas F1 Team, and in his first season the team finished seventh in the Constructors’ Championship. Personal life: he has been married to Sachie since 2010, has supported Coventry City FC since 1995, and enjoys rock climbing.