2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed theme announced!

The Festival of Speed will form part of the Events Research Programme (ERP) as a pilot event. Read more here.

The 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place on from July 8^th to 11^th, and will centre around a theme of “The Maestros – Motorsports Great All-Rounders”. Goodwood’s salute to those in the automotive world, not just drivers and riders, but teams and manufacturers, who never allowed themselves to be bound to any one discipline through their careers.

The first Maestro to confirm his attendance is six-time Le Mans winner, Dakar champion and eight-time Formula 1 race winner Jacky Ickx. No stranger to Goodwood, the brilliant Belgian’s incredible racing record takes in titles in the World Endurance Championship, Can-Am, European Touring Car Championship, Formula 2 and much, much more.

We will also celebrate other icons of multi-talented motorsport and Goodwood friends who can no longer be with us. John Surtees, still the only man in history to be world champion on both two and four wheels. Jim Clark, the great Scot who raced in anything that had wheels, conquering the RAC rally and British Saloon Car Championship, and even finding time to win two F1 titles and the Indy500 before his life was so tragically cut short.

Perennial Goodwood favourite Sir Stirling Moss won in Grands Prix, endurance races, saloon cars and even rallying, other British multi-discipline winners include Graham Hill, the only man to win motorsport’s ‘Triple Crown’ of Monaco Grand Prix, Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours – a feat which has become the defining ambition of Fernando Alonso’s career. Drivers from further afield will be represented at the Festival, including American Dan Gurney, who won in Formula 1, sportscars, Indy cars, touring cars, Trans-Am and NASCAR. 

The roster of manufacturers and teams who’ve competed successfully in multiple different forms of motorsport is also a stellar one, including Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Mercedes, McLaren, Ford, Williams, Penske and Ganassi.

All of these glittering names, and many more, will be represented at the 2020 Festival of Speed.

Jacky Ickx commented: “The Duke of Richmond has built up a monument based on respect and with that special touch that we probably call soul. Without doubt it’s touching to have been invited to such a celebration. Years ago, we were freelance in a way: we could race everywhere, in different categories – it wasn’t a narrow path.

“The driver, however good his talent is, only represents the know-how of the entire team. If you receive a good car, as I have often, it is easy to win. My results and my part in the Festival of Speed are recognising that most of the work was done by people you never see, and I am sure that the event will be another fantastic occasion with a special atmosphere.”

Click here to book your ticket to the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed!

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.