The wait is finally over, 12 long months have passed since the conclusion of one of Britain’s greatest, most storied, and hotly anticipated annual motor racing events, but it’s finally back…

No, we’re not talking about the British Grand Prix - we’ve sadly got another 12 months to wait for that - it’s the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We've arrived at Goodwood with bags full of prizes and we hope to see as many of you as possible.

Ahead of its return this weekend, we’ve compiled a guide to the event, answering all of your key questions and covering everything you might possibly need to know about our plans.

What is the Goodwood Festival of Speed?

It’s the best way to spend this weekend. Sorry, *clears throat*, the only way.

Have you ever imagined a world in which you could enjoy a classic British barbecue (other food is available) surrounded by some of the greatest cars in history, legendary drivers, and likeminded petrolheads? Well, let us introduce you to Britain’s ultimate motoring garden party.

Held on the 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, close to Chichester, UK, the annual motoring show is every racing and automotive fan’s dream. Whether you’ve never been before or have been 20 times, there’s always something new to discover (and plenty of history too).

The festival features a plethora of static stands from various racing teams, automotive brands, and forward-thinking companies, and lots of actual driving as well, with cars from the past, present and future all enjoying a turn at flying up Goodwood’s famous Hillclimb. And trust us, watching a car screech up the Hill and rattle around the 1.16-mile-long circuit is a beautiful sight to behold.

What’s better, many of those cars are being driven by current drivers and legendary names from the world of racing, but more on that below.

What cars will you be taking and who will be driving?

We’re honouring several drivers and anniversaries at this year’s Festival of Speed, including Ayrton Senna. We’ll also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of our first Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship in 1974, won by Emerson Fittipaldi, and our first Indianapolis 500 win in 1974.

As part of this, we’ll be firing up Senna’s 1991 title-winning MP4/6 for his nephew Bruno Senna to drive up the Hill and Emerson will be making an appearance, driving the McLaren he won his 1974 title in, the M23. We’ll be taking to the track once on Thursday and twice on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Keep an eye on our social media channels for the exact timings.

Meanwhile, Jake Hughes will be at the Festival of Speed on Thursday to meet and greet fans and Johnny Rutherford’s Indy 500 winner, the M16C/D, will be on display in our garage for fans to gaze and gaup at. 

Where will you be based?

We’ll be based in the Festival of Speed’s Formula 1 paddock. Just look out for the bright papaya garage swamped by people dressed in – you guessed it – papaya.

What else do you have planned?

Our heritage team will split their time between tinkering with the cars and acting as your tour guides for our machinery. So, come prepared with plenty of questions and don’t be shy, they love to talk about their pride and joys. But be warned, if you do engage, they’re likely to talk your ears off. Our team love nothing more than sharing their vast knowledge, but you’ll not come away disappointed, they’re full of fascinating facts and incredible stories.

In addition, we’ll have a Batak challenge for you and your friends and family to take on and cardboard cutouts of Lando and Oscar for you to take photographs with, as well as plenty of prizes and freebies to give away.

Did you say freebies and prizes?!

You betcha! We’ve got a lot of driver cards and McLaren Plus wristbands to give away, as well as plenty of prizes to be won, including McLaren caps, hats and teamwear.

How do I get to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and when does it start?

If you’re lucky enough to have a ticket, then there are plenty of ways to get to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which takes place 11 – 14 July, starting each day at 07:00.

Queues can be expected but parking at the event is free. However, it is equally as easy to get there by train. Chichester is the closest station, with trains available from cities such as London, Brighton, and Portsmouth. A shuttle bus is then being offered from the station and will take you directly to the event, running to and from Goodwood from 07:00 to 20:00.

The event is hugely popular, but some tickets may be available via the official website.

Can I watch the Goodwood Festival of Speed?  

Absolutely! If you’re unable to attend, you can watch the Festival of Speed for free on the Goodwood Road and Racing YouTube channel. Please note that coverage may not be available in all areas.

For more information and to keep track of all of the action, sign up to McLaren Plus and download the McLaren App. You can also follow our social media channels, which will be full of glorious Goodwood content. 

We can’t wait to see you there!