Haas F1 Owner Gene Haas Makes Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Goodwood, UK — Gene Haas, owner of the Haas Formula 1 team, made his debut behind the wheel of an F1 car during the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb on July 11, 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the 72-year-old, as it was his first experience driving a Formula 1 machine.
In an unexpected revelation, Haas admitted he was unfamiliar with the festival prior to his invitation. “It seemed like an awful lot of work just for an excursion up a hill,” he expressed, noting his curiosity about the event. After driving the 2023 VF23, he acknowledged the festival’s appeal, stating, “Now I understand why so many fans come here.”
Haas expressed appreciation for the diversity of vehicles at the festival, commenting on classic cars from the ’40s and ’50s. “It’s amazing that those teams were making cars that went 150 mph with the basic tools they had compared to now.”
Haas shared his initial experiences in the VF23, describing the cockpit as "very tight" and the complexities involved with clutch and shifting. He remarked, “The hardest thing to do is to try to drive a very fast car at a very slow speed.”
Team Principal Ayao Komatsu accompanied Haas at the event, alongside drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. Komatsu conveyed his excitement about the experience, highlighting the challenges of navigating the hillclimb: “Yesterday I was a bit nervous…then, this morning I was so relaxed and just enjoyed every second.”
This participation at Goodwood showcases the Haas team’s commitment to engaging with motorsport fans while providing their key personnel with unique driving experiences. As Haas concluded, “Today will go down in our history books.”
