Full Breakdown
Lando Norris to Celebrate 2025 F1 Title at Goodwood Festival of Speed
6/19/2026, 12:55:04 AM
Title Lap and Heritage Showcase
World Champion Lando Norris will drive the 2023-spec MCL60 up Goodwood hill on Saturday 11 July 2026, during the Goodwood Festival of Speed (9-12 July). McLaren will also run the 1976 M23, the 1993 MP4/8, the test-bed MP4/8B and the MCL60 across the four days, tying the 2025 title double to its 60th-anniversary celebrations.
Historical Context
The event marks three McLaren milestones: 60 years since the team’s founding, the 50th anniversary of James Hunt’s 1976 World Championship, and the first public appearance of the MP4/8B since September 1993. The MP4/8B was originally a test car for a Chrysler-Lamborghini V12 engine and was driven by Ayrton Senna and Mika Häkkinen at Estoril.
Participants and Cars
Lando Norris (2025 Drivers’ Champion) will pilot the MCL60 on 11 July; reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli will drive it otherwise. Bruno Senna and Rob Garofall will share the MP4/8. The historic lineup includes the 1976 M23 (James Hunt’s championship chassis), the 1993 MP4/8 (Senna’s Australian Grand Prix-winning car), and the MP4/8B (first public run since 1993).
Official Statements & Team Position
McLaren said Norris’s hill-climb will act as a “victory lap” for his 2025 title, while the heritage cars illustrate the team’s evolution from the 1970s onward. The team noted that Fornaroli will keep the MCL60 active when Norris is not driving. McLaren called the festival a key fan-engagement event and a chance to meet its Papaya community.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Goodwood Festival of Speed offers motorsport fans the opportunity to get up close to incredible cars and on-track action, and we’re excited to be part of it again,” — Lou McEwen, Chief Marketing Officer, McLaren Racing
- “This year we’re celebrating 50 years since James Hunt won the World Championship, so we had to bring the winning chassis, M23.” — Lou McEwen
- “I’m particularly excited to bring the MP4/8B for public viewing for the first time since Ayrton and Mika Häkkinen drove it at a test in Estoril in 1993, a real treat for all motorsport fans.” — Lou McEwen
- “Goodwood Festival of Speed is always one of the highlights of the year for us. We look forward to seeing our Papaya family on the ground.” — Lou McEwen
Why It Matters
The appearance ties McLaren’s recent championship triumph to its storied past, reinforcing brand identity and fan loyalty. Showcasing the title-winning MCL60 alongside legendary machines creates a tangible narrative of progress for both new and long-standing supporters. The high-visibility platform also supports sponsor exposure and merchandise sales.
Conflicting Details & Gaps
Sources list the chief marketing officer as “Lou McEwen” in most reports but refer to her as “Louise McEwen” in one. No external verification resolves the discrepancy. All sources agree the MP4/8B’s public debut is its first since 1993, though only one specifies September 1993 as the last appearance.
What’s Next
The Goodwood Festival runs 9-12 July 2026. After the event, McLaren will resume its Formula 1 campaign, building on the momentum of the 2025 championship double.
