A prototype of the Hennessey Venom F5 hypercar, a vehicle capable of reaching speeds exceeding 300 mph, lost control during a high-speed test on July 1st at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility.

Company founder and owner John Hennessey confirmed the incident via social media, stating that the vehicle experienced a loss of downforce while accelerating towards 250 mph, leading the test driver to lose control.

Despite the severity of the incident, Hennessey assured that the driver walked away without injury, thanks in part to the vehicle’s robust safety features.

The specific model being tested was the Venom F5 “Revolution” Coupe, a track-focused variant designed to generate over 1,400 pounds of downforce at 249 mph.

This model, limited to 24 units and priced at $2.7 million, features aerodynamic enhancements, a retuned suspension, and other performance upgrades compared to the standard Venom F5.

Hennessey expressed gratitude to first responders and onsite staff for their assistance. The company’s engineering team will now evaluate aerodynamic data to determine the root cause of the downforce issue.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in pushing the limits of automotive performance. The Venom F5, with its 1,817 horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine, is capable of immense speed, but achieving such performance necessitates meticulous engineering and rigorous testing.

Hennessey has a history of pushing boundaries in the automotive industry. The Venom F5, announced in 2017, has garnered significant attention for its ambitious performance goals. All 24 units of the standard model, priced at $2.1 million each, have been sold out.