Komatsu: We're in an extremely tight midfield battle

The MoneyGram Haas Formula 1 Team have struggled so far this season, with their pace fluctuating massively from race to race. The team scored two points in Canada, through Esteban Ocon securing ninth, as he utilized a one-stop strategy. Oliver Bearman just missed out on points finishing 11th.

Haas currently resides sixth in the constructors' standings but now lies level on points with Racing Bulls as they head to the Red Bull Ring.

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu is looking optimistically at the upcoming weekend; he said: "We always enjoy coming to this exciting circuit in the middle of the Austrian countryside.

"The Red Bull Ring has a good flow of corners with big undulations. Along with a combination of three straights that have DRS, heavy braking corners, and sequences of medium- to high-speed corners, it's hard on tires and always offers good racing," he explained.

Haas have historically done extremely well at Spielberg, securing their team's best finish at this circuit, with a fourth place in 2018, and will be looking to continue that run into this weekend.

The team remains adamant that points aren't secure this weekend, with Komatsu confirming a perfect weekend will be required to see results.

He noted: "We’re in an extremely tight midfield battle and hence every detail makes a difference. We need to start the weekend strong and build up well to qualifying and the race.

The Haas drivers, however, have both boasted successful results here, both in previous series and Ocon in F1, with Bearman victorious here last year in Formula 2.

The latter, keen to appear in the points again, this weekend, added: "After a solid weekend in Canada, I’m feeling good.

"It’s important to have good communication and preparation here, but I’ve got no doubt we will be in the mix here,’’ he added.

Ocon, who has contested nine previous grands prix here, looks towards the weekend with energy, he cited: "Austria is always an interesting weekend.

"It's quite hard for brakes around the Red Bull Ring and it's one of the races that's a little bit in altitude. It has very high-speed sections, something more towards the quickest tracks of the year, and it's one of the classics.

"We all enjoy racing here," the Frenchman concluded.

Haas have a strong chance of getting in the points this weekend, and as noted by both drivers and team; if all goes according to plan, there is no doubt they will be in the fight.