Peter Lyon
January 21, 2026
Goodwood is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration this summer, as the Festival of Speed prepares to welcome Damon Hill, marking 30 years since his 1996 Formula 1 World Championship with Williams.
A true icon of British motorsport, Hill remains one of Britain’s most respected racing drivers, having cemented his place in Formula 1 history with 22 Grand Prix victories as well as making history as part of the first father-son duo to both claim the World Championship title. His father Graham Hill won the F1 title in 1962 and 1968.
First staged in 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the history of motoring and motorsport take part along with legendary figures and racing drivers from the automotive world.
This year’s Festival of Speed will reunite Hill with some of his career-defining cars, as The Duke of Richmond invites fans to join Goodwood in celebrating the motorsport maestro with a dedicated balcony moment on Saturday 11 July. For many years, Hill has been an integral part of the Estate’s motorsport events, showcasing cars from his career on the hillclimb at the Festival of Speed and racing at Revival.
The Duke of Richmond said, “I couldn’t be happier that Damon is joining us at this year’s Festival of Speed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his World Championship. He has been a phenomenal supporter of everything we do at Goodwood [over the years], and indeed has been a patron of the Festival of Speed since the first event in 1993. Too often he is here to lend his support as we celebrate other people, so I am delighted that this time the spotlight will be deservedly on him. I know our fans will join me as we come together to celebrate the amazing career of one of Britain’s most enduringly popular World Champions.”
Meanwhile Damon Hill said, “I’m very much looking forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of my World Championship at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year. Goodwood has always been a special place for the Hill family – my parents came to nearby Bognor Regis for their honeymoon in 1955 because my father was racing in the Nine Hour race the same weekend, and I have been a patron since the very first Festival of Speed in 1993. Goodwood’s fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and it will be a real privilege to share my anniversary with such an appreciative audience.”
