Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025 to feature Theory 1 debut, tributes to Senna and Clark, and the return of Team Lotus
HETHEL, UK – July 8, 2025 – This week, Lotus returns to the hallowed grounds of the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a bold showcase that bridges its motorsport heritage with a forward-looking vision. As the festival honours 75 years of Formula 1, Lotus will command attention with the global debut of its cutting-edge Theory 1 concept car, a dynamic celebration of racing legends, and the revival of the revered Team Lotus name.
At the heart of the Lotus stand will be the Theory 1, a revolutionary concept that encapsulates the marque’s ambitions for the future of performance driving. Sleek, sculptural and deeply technological, it captures Lotus’ intent to merge digital and analogue design without compromise.
“Theory 1 represents the next chapter for Lotus,” said Ben Payne, Vice President of Design, Lotus Group. “It builds on everything Lotus has achieved in its 77-year history, pushing the boundaries of what it means to drive. We want to demonstrate that future performance doesn’t have to sacrifice soul – this is about emotional connection, immersive driving, and intelligent functionality.”
Celebrating Legends of Formula 1
In celebration of 75 years of Formula 1, Lotus will pay tribute to two of its most iconic racing heroes: Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna. Visitors to the stand will be able to see the Lotus Type 33, the car that carried Clark to his 1965 F1 World Championship, alongside the Lotus 97T, in which a young Senna took his first Grand Prix victory in 1985.
“This year is especially poignant,” said Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus. “It marks 40 years since Senna’s first win at Estoril and 60 years since Clark’s extraordinary season where he won everything from the Formula 1 World Championship to the Indianapolis 500. The combination of talent, intuition and technical prowess they brought to Team Lotus helped redefine what success looked like in Formula 1.”
In a rare treat for motorsport fans, Chapman and Chris Dinnage, Team Manager of Classic Team Lotus and former chief mechanic to Senna, will share personal reflections during two special live interviews on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 on the Lotus stand.
The Return of Team Lotus
Reviving one of the most storied names in motorsport, Team Lotus returns with renewed purpose. Embodied by the Emira GT4 and the Emira Cup Concept, the revitalised effort is more than a nod to the past — it is a platform for the future. The Emira Cup Concept will run dynamically throughout the event, demonstrating Lotus’ commitment to supporting passionate privateers and grassroots motorsport through its global racing community.
The Emira Cup racer, making its debut at Goodwood, is engineered to offer an accessible entry point for new competitors while still delivering the performance pedigree Lotus is known for. With an emphasis on driver development, the car will form the foundation of a new Lotus Cup racing series, opening the door for enthusiasts and rising stars alike.
A Living Brand, A Moving Future
Goodwood will also host the complete current Lotus line-up — Evija, Emeya, Eletre and Emira — all of which will take part in the daily hill climbs. Each model represents a distinct expression of Lotus design and innovation, with experts on hand at the stand to provide in-depth insight into their development and performance.
The Lotus stand itself will be a vibrant centre of conversation and interaction throughout the weekend. Journalist and presenter Natasha Bird returns as host, leading daily Q&A sessions and discussions that explore everything from racing culture to how motorsport can evolve to embrace a more inclusive future.
“I’m thrilled to be back at Goodwood,” said Bird. “Lotus has such a rich history, and this year’s stand offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on that legacy while exploring the steps we can take to make motorsport a space for everyone.”
Highlights from the Lotus stand include:
- Daily Lotus Moments at 11:00 and 15:00 – immersive, family-friendly spectacles of energy, sound and surprise.
- Conversations with Lotus spokespeople on Thursday at 11:30 and 14:00, diving into the brand’s design philosophy and future ambitions.
- A special panel on Friday at 14:00 in partnership with Race for Diversity and Inclusion, discussing how the industry can support young talent from underrepresented backgrounds.
From visionary concept to historic race cars, from pioneering electric hypercars to inclusive conversation, Lotus arrives at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed not only as a symbol of British engineering but as a brand committed to shaping the future of performance — both on and off the track.
As the Lotus Theory 1 boldly faces forward, the echoes of Clark and Senna remind us where the journey began. And with Team Lotus reborn, the next generation of racers is already on the starting grid.
