Haas F1 Team has officially unveiled its 2017 Formula 1 contender, the VF-17, through its website and social media channels. The car is set to make its on-track debut on Monday at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, kicking off the first preseason test of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Following the successful debut of the VF-16 in 2016—which earned an impressive 29 points and an eighth-place finish in the constructors’ standings—Haas F1 Team returns with renewed confidence and a dramatically reengineered car designed to meet the demands of new technical regulations.
A Legacy in the Name
The “VF” designation in the car’s name is a tribute to Haas Automation, the team’s title sponsor and one of the world’s largest CNC machine tool builders. The company’s first vertical machining centre, introduced in 1988, was the VF-1—where “V” stands for vertical, an industry-standard term. The addition of “F1” in the original machine’s name was a nod to Gene Haas’s ultimate ambition.
“Being a Formula One participant brings a level of credibility that you just won’t get through traditional advertising.”
— Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman, Haas F1 Team
Gene Haas further explained:
“People are ‘show me’ people. They want to see what you’re capable of before they believe in you. That was our mission—demonstrating that we can do things others can’t. That philosophy connects our racing program to our machine tool business.
‘Bigger, Better, Faster, Lighter’—it’s the standard in both motorsports and machining. What we achieve in Formula One reinforces the global reputation of Haas Automation as a world-class technology leader.”
Designed for Speed and Stability
Built to comply with the 2017 Formula 1 technical regulations, the VF-17 features a completely redesigned aerodynamic profile aimed at delivering higher downforce and better stability. Major updates include:
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A wider front wing and larger barge boards
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A lower, wider rear wing
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A 50mm taller and wider diffuser
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25% wider tires from Pirelli—305mm at the front and 405mm at the rear
“I think the pedal box is the same, but all the rest is very different from last year’s car,” said Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team.
“You always try to make a faster car—typically a lighter one. With the new aero and tires, we’ve added more adjustability and optimized weight distribution. Aesthetically, the VF-17 has a more aggressive look. It’s more aerodynamic, lighter, and more refined based on everything we learned in our first season.”
Form Meets Function
The VF-17 retains the core colour palette of the VF-16—grey, red, black, white, and silver—but its new dark grey-dominant livery offers a more dynamic and aggressive presence on the grid. The paint scheme mirrors the industrial design of Haas Automation’s full product line, which includes vertical and horizontal machining centres, rotary tables, and turning centres used in over 60 countries.
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With 1,300+ employees and a reputation for precision engineering, Haas Automation continues to position itself at the intersection of technology, innovation, and global performance through its involvement in Formula 1.
Testing Schedule and Season Debut
The VF-17 will undergo two four-day testing sessions at Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya:
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February 27 – March 2
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March 7 – March 10
The car will then head to Melbourne, Australia, for the season-opening 2017 Australian Grand Prix on March 26.
About Haas F1 Team
Haas F1 Team debuted in the FIA Formula One World Championship in 2016, becoming the first American-led Formula One team in three decades. Founded by industrialist Gene Haas, the team aims to compete at the highest levels of motorsport while serving as a global technology showcase for Haas Automation.
