Goodwood Highlights: Norris, Rossi, and Hill Steal the Show

The 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed was a spectacular event, bringing together a mix of current F1 stars and legendary figures from the past. It was a weekend where motorsport history and modern innovation collided, offering fans a unique spectacle.

Norris and Rossi on the Balcony Lando Norris, the reigning World Champion, made quite the entrance at Goodwood. Not content with just tackling the iconic hillclimb in McLaren's MCL60, he also took McLaren Racing's World Endurance Championship Hypercar, the MCL-HY, for a spin. The crowd was already buzzing when Norris appeared on the Goodwood House balcony, but the excitement reached new heights when Valentino Rossi, the nine-time Moto GP World Champion, joined him. Norris has often cited Rossi as one of his heroes, and their joint balcony appearance was a highlight for fans.

Hill's Nostalgic Reunion Damon Hill's return to the wheel of the Williams FW18, the car that secured his 1996 championship, was both a trip down memory lane and a masterclass in nostalgia. Celebrating thirty years since his title win, Hill's demonstration run in the restored car was met with widespread admiration. Williams Team Principal, James Vowles, also had the chance to drive this iconic machine, sharing in the historic moment.

Antonelli's First Goodwood Experience Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, marked his Goodwood debut in style. Driving a Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed, Antonelli was clearly taken with the experience, expressing his eagerness for more laps. Alongside him, fellow Mercedes driver Fred Vesti took the 2022 W13 for a spin, now adorned in its 2026 livery.

Stars of Today and Yesteryear The festival wasn't just about the past; current F1 drivers like Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, Isack Hadjar, Pierre Gasly, and Franco Colapinto were also in attendance. Colapinto, in particular, enjoyed his first Goodwood experience by performing a few crowd-pleasing donuts in the E20 F1 car. The event also served as a reunion with icons like Jackie Stewart and Mario Andretti, adding to the weekend's nostalgic charm.

A Glimpse of the Future Goodwood saw a wave of emerging talent take on the hillclimb. Reserve drivers from various teams, including Fred Vesti, Leonardo Fornaroli, Paul Aron, and Jak Crawford, showcased their skills. Nikola Tsolov and Alex Dunne, stars of the F2 championship, also made their Goodwood debuts. Meanwhile, F1 Academy frontrunner Alisha Palmowski took the Red Bull RB17 Hypercar for a run, while Nina Gademan tackled the hill in the E20.

In all, the Goodwood Festival of Speed was a successful blend of nostalgia and excitement, giving fans a chance to see their heroes in action while also glimpsing the future of motorsport.