The Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution has etched its name into the annals of automotive history by setting a new road car lap record at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Dubbed the ‘Decathlete of Hypercars’, this engineering marvel achieved a jaw-dropping lap time of 2:10.90, outpacing its closest rival, the Czinger C21, by 0.43 seconds and leaving the previous record holder, the McLaren P1, trailing by nearly seven seconds.
At the heart of this record-breaking feat on March 11, 2024, is the Venom F5’s twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 engine, unleashing 1,817 horsepower and demonstrating unmatched capabilities on the track. Clocking speeds up to 193.10 mph (310 kmph) on COTA’s 1,016 meter-long back straight, the Venom F5 Revolution not only showcased its ‘phenomenal power’ but also its ‘exceptional handling’, as praised by Hennessey test driver David Donohue.
The Hennessey team, under the leadership of John Hennessey and VP of Engineering Brian Jones, has meticulously crafted the Venom F5 to excel both on the streets and the racetrack. With its lightweight frame, cutting-edge aerodynamics, and street-legal Michelin tires, the hypercar adeptly navigated the circuit’s technical corners and straights, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a road-legal vehicle.
David Donohue, an American racing legend with victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Rolex 24 at Daytona to his name, expertly piloted the Venom F5. His extensive racing experience and intimate knowledge of the car’s capabilities were instrumental in achieving the record-breaking lap, which was verified by independent timing specialists Racelogic.
The lap record is not just a testament to the Venom F5’s sheer speed but also to the collaborative spirit of innovation shared by Hennessey and its partners, including Shell and Pennzoil. As the Venom F5 continues to push the envelope, aiming for a top speed of over 300 mph, this record is a milestone in Hennessey’s journey of automotive excellence, reinforcing its status as a frontrunner in the hypercar domain.
Located just 100 miles from COTA, Hennessey’s Sealy, Texas, headquarters is where the Venom F5, a true embodiment of American engineering and design prowess, comes to life. With the Coupe variant sold out and limited slots available for the Roadster and Revolution models, the Venom F5 remains a coveted masterpiece for automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
As Hennessey sets its sights on future challenges, the Venom F5 Revolution’s record at COTA will stand as a monumental achievement in the world of high-performance automobiles.
