GRR

Video: How it looks to drive a Williams F1 car at FOS

03rd August 2023
Simon Ostler

To have the opportunity to drive anything up the Goodwood Hill during the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard would be incredibly special. But then there are people during those four days who get to have the ultimate experience. That of driving a championship-winning, V10-engined Formula 1 car past the House.

That’s what happened to Ted Zorbas in 2023, as he climbed into the cockpit of the Williams FW19, the car that Jacques Villeneuve drove to the F1 world championship in 1997, and took it for a memorable ride.

Even from this forward-facing view from a camera mounted to the roll-hoop, the car itself is immediately identifiable. That Rothmans livery is iconic, while the number three on the nose serves a reminder that Damon Hill took his number one to Arrows after triumphing in 1996.

The run down to the first corner is… relaxed, but with a couple of corners under his belt, Ted has the confidence to plant his right foot and unleash that Renault V10 as he flies under the bridge and up towards the one substantial braking zone on the Hill. We can only imagine what that brief section alone must have felt, as somewhere in excess of 700PS (515kW) came roaring out of the back of this stunning car.

Another cautious moment past the flint wall is utterly understandable, before he floors it one more time over the crest of the Hill and across the finish line. One day we’ll be lucky enough to have a go… right?

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: How to go from 4th to 1st on the last lap

  • Elevenses

  • Video

  • Onboard

  • Williams

  • FW19

  • Festival of Speed

  • FOS

  • FOS 2023

Shop the Motorsport collection today

Shop Now
Goodwood image
elevenses-williams-fw19-at-fos.jpg

Historic

Video: How it looks to drive a Williams F1 car at FOS

03rd August 2023

williams-fw19-video-fos-2019-jordan-butters-goodwood-01072020.jpg

Festival of Speed

Video: Every crazy sounding car from FOS

01st July 2020

montoya f26 fos elevenses.jpg

Festival of Speed

Video: Montoya and his FW26 charge up the Festival of Speed Hill

16th September

elevenses logan sargeant fos.jpg

Festival of Speed

Video: Logan Sargeant storms up the Hill at the 2024 Festival of Speed

19th August

formula_1_at_the_2023_festival_of_speed_list.jpg

Festival of Speed

8 F1 cars you have to see at the 2023 Festival of Speed

11th July 2023

elevenses mercedes C11 FOS onboard.jpg

Festival of Speed

Video: Onboard with Schumacher and Mass’ Mercedes-Benz C11 at the Festival of Speed

19th September

goodwood_fos_williams_05072017_003.jpg

Festival of Speed

Gallery: Celebrating 40 years of Williams at FOS

07th July 2017

f1-cars-fos-2023.jpg

Festival of Speed

Video: Every F1 car at the 2023 Festival of Speed

10th May