Hennessey’s Venom F5-M to make global debut at the Festival of Speed

For more than 35 years, Hennessey has built its reputation on a wonderfully simple idea: take fast cars and make them faster. What began with tuning and transforming cars and trucks has evolved into something far more ambitious — the creation of its own all-American hypercars.

That journey began in spectacular fashion with the Venom GT. Inspired by the Lotus Exige, it kept little more than the windscreen and doors from the original donor car, becoming a ferocious statement of intent. But founder John Hennessey wanted to go further. The ambition was not simply to modify someone else’s machine, but to create a raw, uncompromising hypercar from the ground up. The result was the Venom F5, which graced the Festival of Speed back in 2022.

Now comes its most involving evolution yet: the Venom F5-M Roadster. With more than 3,000 bespoke components this is Hennessey through and through. Its headline feature is not only the striking integrated dorsal fin, but the glorious six-speed manual gear shifter sitting at the centre of the experience. Pair that with 2,028PS (1,492kW) and an open roof, and you have the most powerful manual open-top hypercar in the world.

Then there is the look of it. At first glance, the all-purple paintwork is dramatic enough, but step closer and the finish reveals an immaculate carbon weave running from panel to panel. The front clam is a miniature showcase of craft in itself, with purple carbon, a gold pinstripe, black carbon and a 24-karat gold ‘H’ nose badge all sealed beneath a clear coat.

Gold details continue across the wheels, pinstriping and engine bay vents, while a painted American flag on the driver’s side and Union Jack on the passenger side add a playful transatlantic flourish. Look carefully and you will even spot ‘Sheikh’ embroidered into the centre console knee pads and rear fascia.

The Venom F5-M Roadster will make its global debut in the Supercar Paddock presented by Abu Dhabi Investment Office before taking to the Goodwood Hill twice daily across the four-day event with Alex Brundle at the wheel. It promises to be one of the loudest, boldest and most grin-inducing sights of the event, a prime example of the Americana Celebration presented by Bank of America bringing extra star-spangled energy to Goodwood in 2026. Above all, it’s a twin-turbo V8 celebration of power and the wonderfully old-school joy of changing gear by hand.

Tickets for the Festival of Speed are now sold out, with a limited number of hospitality packages still available. 

If you’re not already part of the GRRC, joining the Fellowship means you can save ten per cent on your tickets and grandstand passes, as well as enjoy a whole host of other on-event perks.