{
  "id": 11590849,
  "title": "'Don't write off Alonso, Hamilton', says Haas team principal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/dont-write-off-alonso-hamilton-says-haas-team-principal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-03T03:15:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1546639/dont-write-alonso-hamilton-says-haas-team-principal"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu warns against discounting the abilities of Formula One stars Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, despite the rise of new young drivers. Komatsu, who praised the veteran drivers' experience, race craft, and instinct, believes they still have a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power in the sport. \"No, I think you only need to look at people like Fernando Alonso, who is 45 years old, still performing at the highest level,\" Komatsu said at the Sepang Circuit. He pointed to Alonso's recent one-stop race at Zandvoort as a demonstration of his killer instinct and ability to extract more from the car. Komatsu also highlighted Hamilton's performance, noting his push against younger drivers like Kimi Antolinelli and George Russell. He expects the young drivers, including Haas driver Oliver Bearman, to continue challenging the veterans at the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Do not underestimate the power of Formula One’s veteran stars Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton despite the exciting emergence of a new generation of young drivers, says Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu's comments suggest that veteran drivers like Alonso and Hamilton remain competitive due to their experience and instinct, continuing to influence the sport's balance of power.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}