GALLERY: Gene Haas drives one of his own F1 cars at Goodwood

It was a special day for Haas founder Gene Haas and team boss Ayao Komatsu at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Jul 12, 2025 10:58am UTC

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 prepares to drive during — Haas gets ready to drive one of the F1 cars that bears his name

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 driving the Haas F1 VF-23 — Haas heads up the Goodwood hill in the 2023-spec VF-23

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1 looks on during the Goodwood — Komatsu also got suited and booted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 signs autographs for fans — Haas signs autographs for fans at the side of the hillclimb course

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1 prepares to drive during the — Komatsu heads off for his run in the VF-24 from last season

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 talks with Ayao Komatsu, — Haas and Komatsu have a chat around their runs up the hill

CHICHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1 inspects the car during — Haas takes a closer look at the car he is about to drive at Goodwood

Gene Haas got behind the wheel of one of his own Formula 1 cars on Friday as part of celebrations at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Marking some 10 years of his eponymous squad and 75 years of F1, the Haas founder and owner climbed into the cockpit of the VF-23 from the 2023 season.

“My first impression of being in the Formula 1 car was that it’s very tight in there," said Haas after making his way up the famous Goodwood hill.

“There are a lot of nuances you have to learn about the clutch, shifting, and there are a million things going on. The hardest thing to do though is to try to drive a very fast car at a very slow speed.”

Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu has also been in action, driving last year’s VF-24 on Thursday and Friday.

“I’ve absolutely loved today,” Komatsu beamed. “Yesterday I was a bit nervous because everyone told me this course is tricky, so I drove it very slowly.

“Then, when I knew what I was dealing with, this morning I was so relaxed and just enjoyed every second – the process of getting the car to the start line, being inside the car and driving this amazing machinery.

“Doing all that in this amazing setting, the Festival of Speed, is such a privilege. I’m very grateful for the experience.”

Check out photos of Haas and Komatsu at Goodwood in the gallery above.