The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, set for July 9 to 12, will bring together a broad selection of Formula 1® teams and drivers for a celebration of motorsport history and current talent. Themed “The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels,” the event will showcase iconic cars and feature various driver appearances and activities across the weekend.
Among the participants, Mercedes will highlight the debut of Kimi Antonelli, alongside Fred Vesti, who will drive the 2022 W13 car sporting the 2026 livery. Mercedes is also preparing a fan hub that simulates a 2018 W09 pit stop experience. Ferrari will mark 75 years since their first Formula 1® victory in 1951 with special anniversary activities, although no specific drivers have been announced for their appearances.
McLaren’s presence includes Lando Norris driving the 2023 MCL60 on the hill, with appearances alongside Valentino Rossi at Goodwood House Balcony. Reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli will also take part in hill runs and share duties with heritage drivers Bruno Senna and Rob Garofall. Red Bull and Racing Bulls will be represented by a mix of current and reserve drivers, including Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, and Ayumu Iwasa, the 2025 Super Formula Champion.
Alpine will feature Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto driving the E20 car, with Gasly scheduled for Thursday and Colapinto for Saturday. The team’s reserve and academy drivers, including Paul Aron, Alex Dunne, and Nina Gademan, will also participate in various activities. Williams will honour Damon Hill’s 1996 World Championship by having him drive the FW18, sharing driving duties with team principal James Vowles. Reserve driver Luke Browning and F1 Academy adviser Jamie Chadwick will be involved as well, with the FW08C also making appearances.
Aston Martin will bring Jak Crawford and Jessica Hawkins, who will drive the AMR25 for the first time at Goodwood. Hawkins also serves as Head of the F1 Academy and Driver Ambassador, and both will be part of the new Festival of Speed Fan Zone. The event promises a mix of heritage and contemporary Formula 1® elements, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the sport and its community.
The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed offers a unique opportunity to see a wide range of Formula 1® machinery and talent in action outside the race calendar. The combination of historic celebrations, driver debuts, and fan experiences aims to engage enthusiasts with both the sport’s rich past and its current developments.
