A unique spectacle thrilled fans attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed, as Haas Formula 1 Team owner Gene Haas and Team Principal Ayao Komatsu took turns driving one of their own Formula 1 cars. The American team made a strong impression during the prestigious event, showcasing both team leaders at the wheel—a rare and symbolic moment for the sport and the Haas organisation.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed, held annually in West Sussex, United Kingdom, is an iconic celebration of motorsport heritage, showcasing everything from legendary racing cars and vintage machinery to cutting-edge prototypes and famous figures from the racing world. This year’s edition included a standout Formula 1 presence, highlighted by the participation of the Haas F1 Team.
The occasion served as the perfect way for Haas to mark a significant milestone: 200 Grand Prix entries in Formula 1, a landmark the team achieved earlier this season during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend in Montreal. It also came at a time of steady commercial growth and renewed enthusiasm around the American outfit’s progress in the sport.
Gene Haas and Ayao Komatsu at the wheel of a Formula 1 car
It’s not every day that spectators get to witness a Formula 1 team principal and the team’s founder taking the wheel of their own race cars, but that is exactly what happened at Goodwood. Gene Haas, founder and owner of the Haas F1 Team, and Ayao Komatsu, who currently serves as the team’s principal, both stepped into the cockpit to drive up the famous Goodwood hill.
Speaking in an interview with the official Goodwood Festival of Speed website, Ayao Komatsu expressed the importance of the moment: “We had never been here before, and reaching this point is a huge achievement for us. It marks a pivotal moment in the history of our team.”
Komatsu continued by reflecting on Gene Haas’s deep personal involvement in the team’s journey. “This is Gene’s team—it’s not owned by an investment group or a giant corporation. He is the founder, the owner, the visionary behind all of this. When I asked him in Miami if he wanted to get behind the wheel of one of his own cars, he immediately said yes. He was understandably nervous at first, but I told him it would be an amazing experience—after so many years of unwavering support—to finally get a real feel for what he has built.”
From shakedown runs to the main event
Before taking part in the Goodwood hillclimb, Gene Haas had his first on-track experience in a specially organized shakedown session ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix. Ayao Komatsu recalled the emotional and symbolic nature of the test: “We did several laps together. He was definitely nervous at the beginning—as anyone would be in that position. But each time he got back in the car, his confidence grew. He pushed harder on the throttle, and every time he returned to the pits, his smile got bigger and brighter. He personally thanked every single member of the team, shaking everyone’s hand. It was truly wonderful to witness.”
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Haas cars will be on track from July 10 to July 13. On Thursday, Kazuki Nakajima will drive the VF-23 while Ayao Komatsu takes the wheel of the current VF-24. On Friday, both Komatsu and Gene Haas will drive again—Gene taking the wheel of the VF-23 once more. Over the weekend, British rising star Oliver Bearman and Alpine F1 Team driver Esteban Ocon will alternate in driving duties across both cars.
This appearance at Goodwood is not just a showcase for the team’s machines but also a celebration of Haas’s identity as a privateer team with strong leadership and direct involvement from its founder. It highlights the passion, history, and dedication behind the scenes—making the Haas F1 Team’s presence at Goodwood a symbolic and emotional milestone, both for those inside the team and the fans watching from the sidelines.
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