The Haas F1 Team's maiden Formula 1 season delivered more than what was expected but the US fit will struggle to keep its development level on par with its rivals, according to chief race engineer Ayao Komatsu.
Haas has acquitted itself remarkably well this season, even if its performance has slumped in the second part of the year. The US outfit has edged out rivals Renault, Manor and Sauber, scoring points in five races thanks exclusively to Romain Grosjean.
Next year's change of regulations will introduce an additional component into the Haas mix and one which will be sure to complicate the team's performance and development.
"If you look at the top three teams, they’re gone," said Komatsu in an interview with Motorsport.com.
"In terms of points we are behind Toro Rosso and McLaren, but in terms of competitiveness I think we’ve been quite close together.
"So it’s very close to be able to be P6, but with various things we are lacking or need improving as a new team, we are P8.
"The changing of regulation adds another dimension. What does a new regulation mean? The cars will change quite a lot, that means next year we need more upgrades.
"This year we haven’t had many upgrades - it has not been too bad because our baseline car was good and the regulation has been stable.
"But next year even trying to stay where we are is a huge challenge. Obviously McLaren-Honda, they’re going to have a huge improvement.
"They are a full works team. Honda engines are going to improve as well. I’m sure McLaren will do a good job.
"Toro Rosso, their aerodynamics is pretty good and they’re going to have a Renault engine next year. I’m sure Renault’s engine is going to be much better next year.
"Then we’re going to have the Renault works team, who are behind us at the moment in P9. But their improvements will be massive. So even to keep P8, we need to make a huge improvement."
As he casts an honest and realistic look on Haas 2017 prospects, the former Lotus engineer is preaching for caution and pragmatism, while he views Haas necessary human resource growth as something that must be subtly managed.
"I don’t think I can sit here and say I’m confident about next year. I think we need to be humble. But we really need to understand the challenge for next year, even to stay where we are, is huge. Because we are not a works team.
"You've got to grow fast enough but also slow enough so that you don’t lose focus and you grow organically, so that you don’t get lost, basically. It’s not like: 'OK, we need 10 people here - bang, employ 10 people'. We can’t do that.
"The good thing about this team is that the focus is really good and the lines of communication are really good.
"So we need to keep that and then grow slowly, but trying to be quick enough. It’s not easy but it’s a good challenge."
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