2 days ago
Watch Esteban Ocon Tear Up Goodwood In Haas F1 Car
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Haas F1 driver Esteban Ocon is at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, celebrating ten seasons of Haas in Formula One. The four-day event in Sussex sees automotive fans, brands, racing teams, and iconic drivers gather in one place to celebrate speed and motoring.
The Goodwood Hillclimb sees drivers take off down the narrow track as the engine note echoes through the large crowds of fans. Haas was present at the iconic event to celebrate its anniversary.
As well as Ocon, his teammate Oliver Bearman, team principal Ayao Komatsu, and team owner Gene Haas were also present.
A video shared by the American outfit shows the Frenchman smoking the venue with fresh donuts in the VF23 F1 car from the 2023 season.
Gene Haas fired up the same car on Friday for his hillclimb run. Revealing his first-hand experience of driving his team's F1 car, he said:
Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Haas F1 VF-24 Ferrari does donuts during the Goodwood Festival of Speed at Goodwood on July 12, 2025 in Chichester, England.
Esteban Ocon of France driving the (31) Haas F1 VF-24 Ferrari does donuts during the Goodwood Festival of Speed at Goodwood on July 12, 2025 in Chichester, England."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."
Komatsu drove the VF24 from 2024 on Thursday and Friday. He wrote:
"I've absolutely loved today. 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."
Haas has witnessed considerable growth after Komatsu took over the team's leadership ahead of the 2024 season. In 2023, the team finished at the bottom of the constructors' championship, leading many to make purchase offers to Gene. Komatsu pointed out that the team was not for sale. He said before the Festival of Speed:
"Honestly, he's seen lots of changes. He's so engaged now. He understands the details as well. What's the best way to put it? He's always been very passionate about the sport and the result. He always wants us to improve, which is what we need from the owner. He was always behind us.
"I don't know everything, but in the last 18 months he's had numerous offers to buy the team. He's not interested. He really enjoys being the owner of the F1 team. Currently one out of 10, from next year one out of 11. That's such a privileged position to be in.
"He came in at a time when F1 wasn't like this. He stuck with us during such a difficult period of COVID. Now he's enjoying it.
"Honestly, Gene's so committed. He's coming here [to Silverstone], obviously. He's arriving Friday or tomorrow and then staying for Goodwood. He's enjoying it. That's the main thing.
"We are grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed. He's not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it, [Gene's] not interested. He got even annoyed that these guys are asking so many times."
