The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be held at the beautiful grounds of the Goodwood estate in West Sussex from 13-16 July. We hope the sun is shining – some modern F1 drivers will make an appearance before flying to Budapest for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
This year marks several important anniversaries, including the 30th edition of the Festival of Speed since its inception in 1993. The first event is a relatively low-key one, with only 2,000 people expected to attend.
In fact, 25,000 people joined the likes of George Harrison and Nick Mason in convincing the former Earl of March – now the Duke of Richmond – that he had started something special.
Celebrating 75 years of Porsche
The Festival of Speed nearly multiplied to become the behemoth we know today, with classic and modern race cars quickly becoming permanent fixtures.
At the turn of the century, major auto brands, technology partners, extreme sports stars, and pretty much anything with wheels and an engine joined the party. Today, Goodwood hosts one of the best motoring events on Earth.
In 2023, the “Central Feature” sculpture celebrates Porsche’s 75th anniversary, with a four-day event featuring numerous famous German road and racing cars competing in a hill climb.
Le Mans legend in action
Porsche will also always be present at events celebrating the centenary of Le Mans – expect to see the legendary 917 on the hill. Another invitee to the 24-hour race was the Mazda 787B (above). With its screeching rotary engine, it remains the only Japanese car to win Le Mans outright.
The screech of a Formula 1 engine can also cut through the summer air. Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel will entertain the crowds in Nigel Mansell’s champion Williams FW14B and Ayrton Senna’s McLaren MP4/8. Vettel’s passion for the environment means the car will run entirely on sustainable fuels.
Might we see yet another mountain climbing record? Nick Heidfeld’s time of 41.6 seconds in a McLaren MP4/13 in 1999 remains in the non-electric category. For those lucky enough to witness Max Chilton’s record-breaking 39.08-second electric run last year, set in an aggressive McMurtry Speirling, the same car will again be seen bending space and time.
The Unofficial British Motor Show
In addition to the track, the Festival of Speed also focuses on The Future of Electric Vehicles. Electric Avenue showcases the latest in battery electric vehicles, from city speedboats to seven-figure supercars, flanked by interactive activities for visitors of all ages.
Elsewhere, the supercar paddock is home to many of the fastest and most exciting cars in the world. Highlights for 2022 include the Mercedes-AMG One, Ferrari SP3 Daytona and Czinger 21C. We also got our first look at the BMW M3 Touring (pictured above).
The paddock is where the festival of speed reveals its intimate side, allowing fans to get up close and personal with famous machines. When an F1 car catches fire, you can feel the ground shaking, or maybe indulge in a celebrity-seeking opportunity.
a charming garden party
Finally, if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, the Cartier Style & Luxe lawn showcases the most elegant race cars and radical concept cars, all for your viewing pleasure.
Tickets for the 2023 Festival of Speed start at £60 and are available from the Goodwood website. You can spend more on various hospitality packages, but honestly, we wouldn’t bother. Bring a packed lunch and enjoy the view. After all, it’s really about the car.
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Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023: What we’re looking forward to