The Goodwood Festival of Speed, a staple in the automotive calendar, returned in 2024 with a bang, showcasing a blend of heritage and cutting-edge innovation in the automotive world. This year’s event, held from July 11 to July 14, featured an array of car brands, each bringing something unique to the table. Another early start to get to the event, even at 06:45hrs in the morning the roads were packed with enthusiasts.

Once the car was parked and a ///what3words location keyed into my phone for the location of the car, it was time to join the mass of people all walking towards the far entrance.

Just for clarity, I was not there as press, although my camera was with me and the images below are just what I took as a spectator rather than as press. All images were taken with my Leica Q3.

Here are the highlights from this year's festival:

Iconic Brands and Stunning Displays

1. Ferrari: Ferrari stole the show with the debut of its latest hypercar, the SF90 Stradale XX. The car, an evolution of the SF90 Stradale, boasts enhanced aerodynamics, a more powerful engine, and advanced hybrid technology. Ferrari also showcased classic models, including the Ferrari F40 and the 250 GTO, celebrating its rich racing heritage.

2. Porsche: Porsche marked the 75th anniversary of the brand with a special display of its most iconic cars. The centrepiece was the new 911 GT3 RS, alongside historic models like the 356 and the legendary 917 race car. Porsche also thrilled spectators with live demonstrations of its Formula E car.

3. Aston Martin: Aston Martin highlighted its future direction with the unveiling of the Valhalla, a high-performance hybrid supercar. The brand also celebrated its 110th anniversary, displaying classic models like the DB5 and the new V12 Vantage Roadster. Aston Martin’s stand was a blend of tradition and innovation, drawing massive crowds.

4. Lamborghini: Lamborghini showcased its first-ever electric concept car, the Lanzador, signalling a bold step into the future of electric mobility. Alongside this futuristic model were the roaring Huracán Tecnica and the Aventador Ultimae, embodying the brand’s commitment to performance and design.

5. Bugatti: Bugatti brought the Chiron Super Sport to Goodwood, showcasing its breathtaking speed and luxury. The brand also displayed the unique Centodieci, a homage to the Bugatti EB110, highlighting its limited-edition models that blend history and modern engineering prowess.

6. McLaren: McLaren unveiled the Solus GT, a track-only hypercar designed to push the boundaries of performance. The brand also highlighted its Artura, a high-performance hybrid supercar, demonstrating McLaren's focus on sustainable yet thrilling driving experiences.

7. Ford: Ford introduced the new Mustang Dark Horse, a high-performance variant of the iconic muscle car, alongside the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning. Ford’s presence at the festival emphasized the brand’s commitment to combining tradition with innovation, appealing to both petrolheads and eco-conscious drivers.

Event Highlights

Hill Climb: The centrepiece of the festival, the Hill Climb, saw numerous records being challenged. Notable runs included the Rimac Nevera, which demonstrated the sheer power of electric vehicles by setting an impressive time, and the Toyota GR Yaris H2, showcasing hydrogen fuel technology.

The Hillclimb Shootout showcased an impressive array of vehicles and talented drivers, culminating in some thrilling results. Romain Dumas took the top spot with a blistering time of 45.0 seconds in the Ford Supervan 4.2, demonstrating his exceptional skill and the car's remarkable performance capabilities​.

Other notable performances included Michael Lyons, who clocked 47.3 seconds in the Gurney Eagle FA74, and James Wallis, who achieved a time of 48.1 seconds in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup. These runs highlighted the diversity of vehicles and driving prowess on display at the event​

In addition to the overall fastest times, the event also featured winners in various classes. Mark Walker won the Pioneers category in a Darracq 200HP with a time of 1:14.0, and Julian Majzub took the Pre-War Racers category in a Bugatti Type 35B with a time of 1:01.8​

2024 FESTIVAL OF SPEED TIMED SHOOTOUT RESULTS: HERE

Supercar Paddock: The Supercar Paddock was a feast for the eyes, featuring the latest and greatest from brands like Koenigsegg, Pagani, and Lotus. Attendees had the opportunity to get up close with the vehicles, and many supercars took to the hill for thrilling demonstration runs.

Future Lab: The Future Lab provided a glimpse into the future of mobility with exhibits on autonomous driving, advanced aerodynamics, and sustainable materials. Noteworthy displays included the Hyundai N Vision 74, a hydrogen-powered concept car, and the Airbus eVTOL, representing the future of urban air mobility.

Classic Car Parade: The Classic Car Parade celebrated the history of the automobile with a stunning array of vintage vehicles. Highlights included a 1960s Ferrari 250 LM, a pristine Jaguar E-Type, and the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, all driven up the hill to the delight of spectators.

For all the images and videos of the day including press articles please visit to the Goodwood Festival of Speed site: HERE