Friday morning at the 2026 Festival of Speed

10th July 2026

Annabel Heaton

The sun is blazing over the Goodwood Estate once again, and if today matches the momentum of yesterday, the 2026 Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard is about to deliver another unforgettable spectacle.

The circuit is waking up, crowds are already pouring through the gates, and the morning air is thick with anticipation. From two wheels to four, every square inch of the grounds is primed for pure, unadulterated motorsport action.

Fresh off yesterday's historic GRRC of America launch, the Americana Celebration presented by Bank of America brings the thunder of the United States to West Sussex. Spectators are in for a sensory overload as iconic machinery from NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and Le Mans power up the infamous Hill in the July heat, filling the sky with the intoxicating aroma of hard-working engines.

Motorcycling icon and 23-time Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness will make his first major appearance of the day on the Goodwood House balcony, sparking one of the event's signature crowd moments. For those looking to get even closer, McGuinness will head over to the FOS Fan Zone presented by Pirelli, joining fellow rider Troy Bayliss for an interactive, live Q&A session. FOZ Fan Zone is the absolute heartbeat of star power today, boasting an illustrious lineup that includes F1 World Champion Damon Hill, the legendary Solberg rallying dynasty, and McLaren Racing’s rising star Leo Fornaroli.

Just when it feels like the schedule couldn't possibly deliver any more, iconic red cars of the Forza Ferrari Batch join the pinnacle of modern F1 machinery on the Hill. The final Balcony Moment of the afternoon will bring together two global titans of speed, courtesy of Monster Energy: reigning F1 World Champion Lando Norris and nine-time MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi. Boasting a staggering combined total of ten World Championships, this charismatic duo is set to electrify the grounds with their collective talent and star power.

Before the sea of Valentino’s signature yellow 46 and McLaren’s vibrant papaya orange takes over, here’s a look at some of the early morning scenes — the calm before the storm.