8 July 2026 15:30 (UTC)
Get set for Goodwood: Where to find us, what we’ll be bringing, and who will be driving
Few events in world motorsport let you get as up close and personal to legendary race drivers and their cars as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The annual motorsport festival is returning this week with its usual collection of legendary cars, drivers, and great prizes. To get you up to speed, we’ve prepared a guide answering all of your key questions.
Every year, motoring fans from across the country gather at the Goodwood Festival of Speed for Britain’s ultimate motoring garden party.
The yearly four-day-long event celebrates everything that is great about the racing and automotive worlds, bringing together all types of fans, whether you’re into racing cars, supercars, hypercars, tech, speed, or just a day out on the 12,000-acre Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, near Chichester.
We’ll be there, along with a whole host of other racing teams, automotive brands and tech companies, offering up a unique look at the past, present, and future of the motorsport and automotive worlds.
The event’s centrepiece is the famous Goodwood Hillclimb, a 1.16-mile-long circuit on which famous names from the world of motorsport take iconic, historic and futuristic machinery for a spin.
In addition to this, there are garages and static displays for fans to explore, live BMX and motocross demonstrations in the Action Sports Arena, and there’s the famous Goodwood auction, not to mention a family area featuring Scalextric, toy cars, and face painting.
We’re bringing along five classic McLarens for you to enjoy.
There will be two versions of the MP4/8. The MP4/8A, which will be on display, was Ayrton Senna’s final McLaren and Mika Häkkinen’s first. Ayrton drove the MP4/8A to five wins, including a record sixth victory at the Monaco Grand Prix and one of the greatest wet-weather drives in Formula 1 history at Donington Park. It was also the car Mika was driving when he shocked the world by outqualifying Ayrton on his McLaren debut at the 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix.
The MP4/8B, which will be driven up the hill, was created as a test car to evaluate Chrysler's Lamborghini V12, with McLaren searching for a new engine supplier. The team ultimately opted to pursue a full factory partnership with Peugeot for 1994 instead, sparking one of F1’s favourite ‘what ifs’.
Alongside those two legends of the '90s will be our first Formula 1 World Championship winner, the M23, which was driven to a Constructors’ and Drivers’ double by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974 before James Hunt secured the Drivers’ title with the car in 1976.
If you’re after something a little more recent, we’ll also be bringing along the MCL60, our 2023 challenger, named in celebration of our 60th anniversary. After starting the season at the back of the grid, upgrades introduced midway through the year transformed the car, helping Lando and Oscar claim nine podium finishes from the final 13 rounds.
The MP4/8B, the M23, and the MCL60 are all set to be driven from Thursday to Sunday. As announced in June, Lando will be at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to celebrate his 2025 World Championship victory, and to drive the MCL60 on Saturday. McLaren Development Drivers Leonardo Fornaroli and Grégoire Saucy, along with Bruno Senna, will also join us to take some of our cars up the hill.
We’ll be in the Formula 1 Paddock, working from our on-site garage – a live workshop where we’ll house all of the cars we’re bringing with us. Head over and watch us tinker with some iconic machinery.
Come armed with questions. Our team of heritage experts are always more than happy to pause for a tea break to talk shop and answer any questions you have. They’re a treasure trove of fascinating facts and incredible stories.
We’ll be bringing the Constructors' and Drivers' World Championship trophies for you to get a photo with, plus plenty of prizes and freebies to give away.
Alongside our spot in the F1 Paddock, the McLaren F1 Sim Racing Team will have their own fan zone, just a short walk away from the Goodwood Fan Zone. Get to know our drivers, Alfie Butcher and Jake Benham, who will be hanging out across the four days, and set a time on our racing simulators.
McLaren Automotive will also be at Goodwood with a selection of their favourite cars, stationed at McLaren House, alongside a McLaren Store stocked with official merchandise.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicks off this week, 9-12 July, with gates opening at 07:00 each day.
The weather is constantly changing, but is currently expected to be warm. Please check the forecast on the day and arrive suitably prepared. Remember to drink plenty of water and use high-protection sun lotion.
We would also encourage you to keep an eye on those around you and to alert staff if you spot someone who may be feeling unwell.
If you’re planning to drive, you can park at the event for free, but queues are likely, so we’d advise arriving in plenty of time.
You can also get to Goodwood by train from cities such as London, Brighton, and Portsmouth. Chichester is the closest station, and a shuttle bus service runs from 07:00 to 20:00. The bus leaves from the outside of the station and takes you directly to the event.
This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed sold out in record time, but you can watch the action for free here. 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 the McLaren Racing Club and stay close to the McLaren App.
