This weekend saw the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed take place, with the British festival, as ever, featuring a strong sportscar presence.
Norris drives McLaren MCL-HY
The McLaren MCL-HY Hypercar made its public debut, with the Dallara-based LMDh making multiple runs up the hill.
Amongst the pilots to drive the car was reigning Formula 1 world drivers’ champion Lando Norris.
“It was very special,” Norris later said at the Fan Zone. “It’s not often I get to drive different cars. A lot of them are Formula 1 cars from current or older times, but I love all types of cars, so I like the fact I get to try different things.
“I’ve always said I want to do Le Mans when I’m a bit older. In a few years, I’d love to have that opportunity, whether that’s with Valentino [Rossi], or other drivers. I love racing, so I want to explore. My focus is Formula 1, and I want to achieve more in Formula 1, but I also don’t want to run out of time and I want to be able to try different things.”
JOTA present despite Sao Paulo clash
The other modern top-class prototype present was a Cadillac V-Series.R from Hertz Team JOTA, with Louis Delétraz driving the car as part of the Americana Celebration.
1966 Le Mans podium reunited
The Americana Celebration was headlined by a demonstration of the three Ford GT40s which locked out the podium at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Mario Andretti drove the winning #2 Mk II, with Michael and Marco Andretti joining him for the parade.
The #2 Mk II was also driven at the event by Racing Bulls Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson, who described it as a “very special” experience.
“A lot of New Zealand history in this car,” Lawson said. “I didn’t expect to come here and drive it. I saw it today, I asked, and the owner was kind enough to let me drive it.
“The feeling when driving a car like this is indescribable. It’s not like anything we drive currently. The vibrations, the frequency, the noise. It’s incredible.”
Rossi’s BMW V12 LMR
Valentino Rossi was one of the star’s of this year’s festival, making multiple demonstrations runs and appearances. Alongside his two-wheel machinery, the Italian also went up the hill in a BMW V12 LMR sporting a custom Monster Energy livery.
Bell reunited with first Formula 1 car
Five-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Derek Bell participated in Goodwood’s celebration of 75 years of the Prancing Horse, driving one of only two Ferrari 312/68s in existence. The car, notably, is the one aboard which the Briton made his Formula 1 World Championship debut.
Sports car legend Derek Bell in one of the prettiest #Ferraris ever made: the 312/68.
One of only two such chassis that exists, it’s the very same car the Brit made his world championship debut in – perfect for #FOS 2026 and our celebration of 75 years of the Prancing Horse. pic.twitter.com/tixBiUItJ7
— Goodwood Road & Racing (@GoodwoodRRC) July 12, 2026
Toyota GR GT3 present
The McLaren wasn’t the only 2027 sportscar making a demonstration run, with the Toyota GR GT3, which is expected to debut next year, also going up the famous hill.
Yuichi Nakayama, who has become a regular at the Nordschleife the past couple of years, drove the car.
Maserati displays Project GT4
Maserati announced its intention to return to the GT4 category from 2028 onwards at the beginning of the Festival, with its Project GT4 concept subsequently displayed on-site for its public debut.
Dumas wins third consecutive Shootout
Romain Dumas once again triumphed in the Festival of Speed timed shoot-out, this time aboard the Ford Super Mustang Mach-E aboard which he recently was victorious with at Pikes Peak.
The Frenchman record a 41.97-second run, going 0.49 seconds faster than the Gen 4-spec Formula E machine of Dan Ticktum. Alex Summers was third in the Shadow DN4, with the honour of top sportscar, in fifth overall, going to Jordan Pepper and the BMW M3 Touring 24H, which continued its popular post-Nürburging 24 Hours tour.
IMSA was represented in the top 10 thanks to Jake Hill’s GTO-spec Nissan 300ZX Turbo, which enjoyed a long spell in the hot seat thanks to a 48.48 before eventually dropping to seventh, whilst Callum Voison placed the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.2) in ninth.
Another N24 one-off, the HWA Evo.R, was 14th in the hands of Luca Ludwig, just ahead of the Ecurie Ecosse Blackthorn Aston Martin GT3 of Gordon Shedden, and Manuela Gostner’s Ferrari 296 Challenge.
Images courtesy of McLaren, JOTA, Goodwood Festival of Speed, Yuichi Nakayama and BMW M Motorsport
