The 2026 edition of the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard will carry a renewed sense of purpose beyond the roar of engines and the spectacle of speed, as it welcomes Mission 44 as its Official Charity Partner.
Taking place from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 July, the Festival of Speed continues to stand as one of motorsport’s most celebrated gatherings, where innovation, heritage and future-facing technology converge on the iconic grounds of Goodwood. This year, however, the event’s spotlight extends beyond the track, placing young people and opportunity at the heart of the experience.
Founded by seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, Mission 44 is built on a clear and urgent mission: to create a fairer, more inclusive future where every young person has the chance to thrive in education and access careers in STEM and motorsport. The organisation works across funding, advocacy and partnership, supporting programmes that dismantle systemic barriers and open pathways that have historically been out of reach for many.
At the 2026 Festival of Speed, this mission will move from principle to presence. Visitors will be able to engage directly with Mission 44 at its dedicated stand in the new FOS Fan Zone, where the charity will host live panel discussions and conversations on the main stage. These sessions are designed to bring voices together, from industry leaders to emerging changemakers, all focused on how access to opportunity in STEM and motorsport can be meaningfully expanded.
The partnership will also see 60 young people welcomed to the Festival of Speed, offering them an immersive introduction to the world of motorsport in a setting that celebrates both its legacy and its future. For many, it will be an early step into an ecosystem where engineering, innovation and performance intersect, and where careers in STEM can be seen not as distant ambitions, but as tangible pathways.
This is not the first time Mission 44 has been present at Goodwood. At the 2025 Festival of Speed, the charity participated in a Q&A session in The Randox Studio within FOS Future Lab presented by Randox, and brought a group of young people to experience the Thursday programme as part of the event’s STEM-focused initiatives. That early collaboration laid the groundwork for a deeper partnership in 2026.
The Festival of Speed has long been associated with charitable engagement, consistently aligning itself with organisations that deliver meaningful, lasting impact beyond motorsport. The inclusion of Mission 44 continues that tradition, reinforcing the event’s role not only as a showcase of speed and innovation, but as a platform for social progress.
Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44, described the partnership as a natural extension of the organisation’s purpose. “Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not, and that is what drives our work at Mission 44,” he said. He emphasised the importance of expanding access to STEM and motorsport careers through targeted funding, scholarships and advocacy designed to shift systems as well as outcomes.
He added that the Festival of Speed offers a uniquely powerful platform to inspire the next generation, creating moments where aspiration can be sparked through direct exposure to the industry.
The Duke of Richmond, CBE DL, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of breaking down barriers that still limit access to STEM and motorsport careers. He noted that the Festival of Speed has always sought to inspire young audiences and expressed pride in supporting Mission 44’s work as part of that broader ambition.
As anticipation builds for July, the collaboration signals more than a ceremonial partnership. It reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the future of motorsport is not only faster and more innovative, but more open, more inclusive and more representative of the talent waiting just beyond its traditional boundaries.
