The Goodwood Festival of Speed has officially kicked off, and motorsport enthusiasts are in for a thrilling treat as the event unfolds in the heart of Sussex, England. Running from July 9 through the weekend, this year’s festival promises an exhilarating showcase of cutting-edge race cars, supercars, and a star-studded lineup of drivers tackling the legendary hillclimb.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Goodwood Estate, which also hosts the renowned Goodwood Revival each September, this festival caters to modern racing fans with its impressive supercar paddock and an F1 pit lane brimming with excitement. This year, attendees are blessed with glorious sunshine, a welcome change as the UK enjoys a summer heatwave.
Among the notable figures gracing the event are two Formula 1 world champions, ready to take on the iconic hillclimb. The legendary Adrian Newey, who boasts an astounding 26 world championships from his time with Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull, will be showcasing his latest creation, the RB17 hypercar, which is set to make its debut this weekend. Newey, now with Aston Martin, will be behind the wheel on Thursday, alongside Red Bull drivers Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda, and Alisha Palmowski throughout the festival.
Fans can also look forward to the presence of 1996 champion Damon Hill and 2025 champion Lando Norris, who will be celebrated on the Balcony of Goodwood House this Saturday after their run in McLaren’s 2023 F1 car, the MCL60. Adding to the excitement, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, currently leading the championship, will make his Goodwood debut alongside his Mercedes teammate Frederik Vesti, who will be piloting the 2022 Mercedes F1 car.
Current Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto will also be in attendance, along with Aston Martin reserve drivers Jak Crawford and Jessica Hawkins. Williams will be represented by team principal James Vowles, alongside drivers Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick. While British F1 personalities Martin Brundle and Christian Horner have yet to be confirmed for 2026, their past appearances at Goodwood have always generated buzz.
With so much action lined up over the next four days, F1 fans have plenty to look forward to. For those unable to attend, the entire festival will be streamed live and free on the Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube channel, allowing viewers to catch all the excitement from the comfort of home.
As the engines roar and the excitement builds, who do you think will steal the spotlight at this year’s festival?
