Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu and drivers Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon have opened up about the utility of the summer break, the challenges the Dutch GP weekend would pose, and their objectives for the second half of the 2026 F1 season.
The American squad’s on-track showing has been pretty underwhelming for a while. The last time they secured a points finish was on the streets of Monte Carlo back in early June.
After the first eleven rounds of the 2026 campaign, Haas sit seventh in the Constructors’ standings with 21 points under their belt. They are 40 points adrift of Alpine, who are in sixth place.
Haas boss explains how the summer break helped the team ahead of the 2026 Dutch GP
Previewing the 2026 Dutch GP weekend, Ayao Komatsu stated that the Haas F1 team is eager to hit the track at Zandvoort following the summer recess. Highlighting the fervent ambience that characterises the seaside venue, he also acknowledged their poor run of form and claimed that the three-week break was essential for approaching the latter half of the campaign with a clean slate.
With the Circuit Zandvoort hosting its first-ever Sprint in F1, the 50-year-old touched on the primary challenge this format poses operationally and the complexities this track—which boasts a mixture of corners—offers. Nonetheless, he added that they are keen to assess whether they have made any progress since the previous round in Hungary.
“It goes without saying that we’re excited to get back racing this weekend at Zandvoort—a venue that boasts just an incredible atmosphere thanks to the passion of all the Dutch fans.
“It’s no secret that we experienced a challenging run of races before the summer shutdown. So, the break came at a good time to allow everyone on the team an opportunity to rest and reset ahead of the second half of the season.
“We’re straight into it though with a Sprint weekend, which means we’ve really got to be at our best operationally from the very start with just one practice session. Zandvoort presents plenty of challenges as a circuit but I’m looking forward to seeing how we come back and respond as a team.”
Bearman’s target for the second half
Revealing how he had disconnected from the world of racing during the mandatory summer shutdown, Ollie Bearman also asserted that a respite from the gruelling routine of F1 was beneficial for the entire Kannapolis-based squad.
So far as the second half of the season is concerned, the Brit said that he intends to not only optimise his own race weekends but also collaborate with the team to secure the best possible results.
Lamenting that 2026 is the last year to see Zandvoort featured on the F1 calendar, Bearman additionally drew attention to the vibrant atmosphere and the uniqueness of the track and proclaimed that he is eager to don the Haas overalls and get back behind the wheel at the Dutch GP this weekend.
“We’re back, and the break was much needed for both the team and me. It was great to spend time with family and friends, turning my phone onto ‘do not disturb’ and having some free time to enjoy my other hobbies!
“The aim for the second half of the season is to execute to the best of my ability and ensure we’re working cohesively together to get the best result within our control.
“I love Zandvoort, and it’s a shame that this is its last year on the Formula 1 calendar—the atmosphere is unrivalled, the orange army is out in full force, and the track is so unique. I’m looking forward to getting back to racing.”
Ocon on what Haas have to tackle during the 2026 Dutch GP weekend
In his preview of the 2026 Dutch GP weekend, Esteban Ocon echoed the sentiments of the Haas Team Principal and his teammate with respect to the significance of the F1 summer break.
Reflecting on why Zandvoort is such an appealing venue, the Frenchman mentioned how Haas are ready to take on the remaining rounds of the season. Furthermore, he referred to the positives they took away from Budapest and emphasised how crucial it is to hit the ground running from the get-go, as F1 gears up for the fifth Sprint weekend of the season.
“It’s been great to unwind over the summer break with friends and family. It’s been important for everyone to have that opportunity to reset ahead of what promises to be a busy second half of the season.
“We’re ready to get back racing and see what we can achieve. Zandvoort is a fantastic venue to kick off the second half of the year. The fans always create an incredible atmosphere, and the track is a fun one to drive.
“We’ve faced a few challenges during the first half of the season, so we’ll be looking to build on the consistency we showed in Hungary. With it being a Sprint weekend, we’ll need to make the most of every session and get the most out of the package from the outset.”
