Formula 1 glory at the 2024 Festival of Speed

To be transfixed by the screen watching them race around the world, it's almost a starting jolt of reality to see them here, because these cars really are real, and they’re here for our entertainment.

Before the go-ahead, the Assembly Area houses the cars and the swathes of protective mechanics who ensure they are in tip-top condition for their run up the Hill. You can see this all taking place, and watch on as the drivers get ready, too.

Once again, seeing the drivers emerge from the screen before your eyes is a thrill, especially when they’re some of the most iconic names in the sport. A real treat for us all, none other than World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi took to the Hill on Thursday in his 1974 McLaren M23-5. And he was joined by Bruno Senna, behind the wheel of one of the most successful F1 cars of all time – his father Ayrton’s MP4/4. A fittingly touching tribute to one of the sport’s greatest figures.

Current Williams drivers, Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant, and F1 Academy Driver, Lia Block, honoured the past by driving the 1982 FW08 in which Keke Rosberg won the drivers’ championship. The spirit of champions continues to be showcased, with Michael Schumacher's title-winning Ferrari F2001 also taking to the Hill.

On Saturday we saw Ferrari Academy driver Oliver Bearman take to the helm of the Scuderia’s SF70H, the 2017 car driven by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen. After getting a taste of what it’s like to drive an F1 car this year – having his debut at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to replace an ill Carlos Sainz Jr., he impressed the crowds with burnouts and plenty of sideways action during his runs up the Hill this weekend.

Speaking of Räikkönen, Alpine’s young drivers are taking turns to guide the E20 car – the one which earned the Finnish driver victory at the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – up the Hill. It was Formula 2 driver Kush Maini at the helm on Thursday and Friday, and we've since seen F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan entertain the crowds on Saturday, followed by Formula 3 driver Sophia Floersch completing the hillclimb for the team on Sunday.

In a first for the Festival of Speed, the F1 Academy has been represented on the Hill, including Red Bull F1 Academy driver Hamda Al Qubaisi. Following on from her podium finish in Barcelona back in June, Al Qubaisi showcased both her talent and the capabilities of her car during the runs on Saturday.  

It would be impossible to talk about Formula 1 at the 2024 Festival of Speed without mentioning Red Bull. The reigning constructors’ champions have a class all to themselves, and while there is plenty to see on static display, we've been treated to several dynamic ones, too. Thursday saw Patrick Friesacher take to the Hill in the 2011 RB7, as has team principle Christian Horner, and David Coulthard, as well as Adrian Newey in some legendary historic F1 machinary. 

Over the course of the event, no less than seven iconic Red Bulls will have been in action on the Hill, including Sergio Pérez in the 2022 RB16 and Max Verstappen his championship-winning RB16B from the unforgettable 2021 campaign. It's title-rival, Mercedes' W12 has already taken to the Hill on Saturday. Decked out in this year's livery, this Silver Arrow was guided up by reserve driver Frederik Vesti. 

The F1 Batch really is non-stop. Classic and modern, we’re loving keeping up with all of the runs over all four days of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed is underway, and you can watch every moment of the action on our live stream right here on GRR!

Goodwood photography courtesy of Jordan Butters, Jochen Van Cauwenberge, Pete Summers, and Fin Williams.