As the 75th anniversary of the Formula 1 World Championship approaches, the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is poised to host the most ambitious celebration of the sport’s technological and human triumphs yet. Taking place from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 July, the world-renowned motorsport event will not only honour F1’s iconic legacy, but will also spotlight the visionary minds behind the machines that changed the game.
Honouring the Innovators Who Shaped the Sport
Among the headline attractions is the aptly titled ‘Innovators’ class, curated by none other than Adrian Newey OBE – a name synonymous with ground-breaking design and race-winning performance. Widely regarded as the most successful technical mind in Formula 1 history, Newey has been pivotal in redefining aerodynamic and engineering boundaries for nearly four decades. With 223 Grand Prix wins and 26 World Championships, his influence is unmatched.
Newey’s curation will present a deeply personal look at innovation in motorsport, featuring two of his own vehicles: the Lotus 49, the car that first ignited his passion for racing, and the Leyton House CG901, a car of his own creation that broke new aerodynamic ground during the 1990 season.
Reflecting on his involvement, Newey remarked:
“It’s been a real pleasure to work with Goodwood on assembling such a remarkable collection of Formula 1 cars for the Innovators class. It’s a celebration not just of the machines, but of the creativity, craftsmanship, and engineering excellence that have defined the sport over the past 75 years.”
Legends of Innovation: Murray and Brawn Join the Line-Up
Newey will be joined by two other icons of technical innovation: Professor Gordon Murray MBE and Ross Brawn OBE. Both names are etched into F1 folklore, not just for their championship-winning cars, but for the daring philosophies that made them possible.
Gordon Murray’s career spans six decades and includes everything from the fan-assisted Brabham BT46B, to the peerless McLaren MP4/4 and the legendary McLaren F1 road car – still considered by many to be the greatest ever made. This year, Murray’s contribution to automotive design will be the centrepiece of the Festival, with Gordon Murray Automotive honoured as the featured marque and a spectacular Central Feature in front of Goodwood House.
Ross Brawn, meanwhile, brings with him the spirit of one of motorsport’s most astonishing underdog stories. In 2009, his eponymous Brawn GP team emerged from the remains of Honda Racing to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships – an achievement cemented by the debut of the double diffuser on the Brawn BGP 001, which will be on show at the Festival. Brawn’s career also includes pivotal roles at Ferrari, Mercedes, and Formula 1 itself, where he has helped shape the sport’s modern era.
A Multi-Faceted Celebration of Formula 1
The Festival’s F1 75 celebration will unfold across six curated content pillars:
- Prologue – tracing the sport’s origins
- Pioneers – celebrating the early trailblazers
- Innovators – honouring technical revolutions
- Underdogs – highlighting unexpected heroes
- Champions – featuring legendary drivers
- Teams – showcasing iconic constructors
More than 100 significant F1 cars are set to appear, offering an unparalleled journey through time. Joining them will be eight former World Champions, including Alain Prost, Mario Andretti, and Nigel Mansell, each bringing their own chapters of history to life.
The Duke of Richmond CBE DL, founder of the Festival of Speed, expressed his excitement:
“Pushing the boundaries of technology has always been central to the relentless pursuit of performance in Formula 1, so I am thrilled that three of the most brilliant designers of all time – Adrian Newey, Gordon Murray and Ross Brawn – will be joining us. Between them, they have created some of the most ground-breaking (and dominant) cars in F1 history.”
Don’t Miss Out
With this year’s Festival set to be the biggest and most comprehensive celebration of Formula 1 ever hosted at Goodwood, anticipation is high. Thursday tickets remain available in limited numbers at goodwood.com – offering enthusiasts the rare opportunity to witness living history in motion.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, this is your chance to experience the speed, ingenuity, and spirit of a sport that has captivated the world for 75 years – all in the inimitable setting of the Goodwood Estate.
