Gene Haas drives one of his own F1 cars 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.