McLaren Racing will commemorate two anniversaries at this year’s Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard. Its presence at Goodwood will be focused on celebrating the life of Ayrton Senna 30 years on from his accident at Imola. It’s also 50 years since the team won its first Formula 1 world championships in 1974 with Emerson Fittipaldi, and the Indy 500 with Johnny Rutherford.
It’s only fitting, therefore, that McLaren will be bringing cars integral to these celebrations on the Hill throughout the Festival of Speed weekend.
Senna’s 1991 F1 world championship-winning McLaren MP4/6 will be driven up the Hill by his nephew, Bruno Senna. The three-time champion won seven races that season, along with a further five podium finishes to clinch his third and final title.
Alongside the MP4/6 will be Emerson Fittipaldi, himself returning to the cockpit of his McLaren M23 50 years after he drove it to three wins and the driver’s championship in 1974. The team also won the constructors’ championship that year, kickstarting a legacy that continues to be written today. We’re very much looking forward to watching the great Brazilian return to an F1 cockpit once more, it’s bound to be a special moment as we remember the history of one of F1’s iconic teams.
Both of these cars will be in action on the Hill throughout the weekend, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see them in motion. They’ll run for the first time on Thursday before returning for two more runs each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
McLaren will also have the 1974 Indy 500-winning M16C/D on static display inside the team garage, which will be located in the F1 Pitlane presented by Sky.
All three cars will be housed there whenever they are not in action on the Hill, and we thoroughly recommend you take the time explore this section of the Festival of Speed to soak up the grand prix atmosphere.
McLaren F1 team’s COO, Piers Thynne, said: “It’s great to return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with an iconic line-up to celebrate two significant anniversaries for the team.
“Senna plays an incredibly important part of McLaren’s Heritage, and what better way to continue to celebrate his legacy than by running one of his championship-winning cars
“Our past fuels our present, so the Goodwood Festival of Speed is a great way to recognise the team’s achievements and celebrate our steep history as a race team.”
Only Thursday general admission tickets remain, with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tickets now sold out, although a limited number of hospitality packages for all days are still available. Tickets and packages can be purchased from £70.
Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.
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