Hamilton, one of F1’s youngest stars
After much anticipation, young British Formula One sensation Lewis Hamilton has now confirmed his attendance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Festival will be the first opportunity for British motor sport fans to see Lewis in action in an F1 car on UK soil, as he screams up the challenging 1.16-mile Goodwood hillclimb in an F1 McLaren on Sunday 24 June.For the first time in five years, the current F1 season includes four British drivers. All four of these drivers are confirmed to be attending and driving at the Festival of Speed, being held in Goodwood Park from 22-24 June 2007, two weeks prior to them all being seen in action at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Hamilton will be joining fellow Brits Jenson Button, David Coulthard and new F1 recruit Anthony Davidson at the Festival, with all four due to be tackle the celebrated Goodwood Hill. Davidson will drive the ex-Nigel Mansell/Nelson Piquet 1987 championship-winning Williams-Honda FW11B. Both Davidson and Button are also due to take to the Hill on two-wheels racing bicycles, as part of the inaugural Goodwood Organic Milk Race, which teams top drivers with professional cyclists in a time trial up the Goodwood Hill – and back down.
The Festival’s unique ability to attract the top works Formula One teams is a key strength, and seven current F1 teams have indicated their intention to attend this year, just two weeks ahead of their appearance at the British Grand Prix. Nowhere else in the world can F1 fans get so close to the latest and greatest cars and drivers.
* Ferrari – the legendary F1 team will be here from Italy to help celebrate the marque’s 60th anniversary
* Honda – the latest RA107 car will be in action all weekend, and it is confirmed that Christien Klien will drive on Friday and Saturday, with local hero Jenson Button driving on Sunday
* McLaren-Mercedes – last season’s car is expected to be in action on Saturday and Sunday
* Red Bull – the beautiful Renault-powered car will smoke its tyres all weekend
* Spyker – the newest addition to the F1 grid is expected to make its debut appearance at the Festival, with both its F1 car and Le Mans challenger
* Toyota – the latest car will be in action all weekend as part of Toyota’s celebration of a half-century in motor sport. It is now confirmed that Ralf Schumacher will be on hand to drive on Saturday
* Williams-Toyota – the great British team will demonstrate its latest V8 car on Saturday and Sunday
In addition to the current stars, also look out in the paddock for more familiar British F1 faces, such as Sir Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Sir Frank Williams, Ron Dennis, Patrick Head, Ross Brawn, David Richards, Christian Horner and Adrian Newey, all of whom have attended the Festival in recent years.