McLaren will take its 60th anniversary celebrations to Goodwood, with a significant presence at the 2023 Festival of Speed, specifically paying homage to its founder Bruce McLaren. There will be celebrations of the British brand’s rich history, with references to past motorsport success in capturing the ‘Triple Crown’ of racing, as well as looking towards the future of the company, as two new models attempt the famous Goodwood Hillclimb.

At the recent Monaco Grand Prix, McLaren celebrated being the only team to have won the ‘Triple Crown’ (Monaco, Le Mans and Indy500) with a special livery which adorned the car across the race weekend. Although the current season of F1 has proved challenging for McLaren, there’s no doubting the rich and deserved racing pedigree that the British company holds in the eyes of petrolheads and casual fans alike.

On each day of the four day festival, McLaren will showcase some of its greatest race cars in a moving motor show on the Hillclimb. Esteemed drivers will be paired with special cars, showcasing the very best of McLaren throughout its lifespan. Mika Häkkinen will hop back in the car which he piloted to the Formula 1 Driver’s World Championship in 1999. Also, Bruno Senna will drive the car that his uncle Ayrton Senna won the 1991 Formula 1 World Championship. Finally, one of McLaren’s ‘Triple Crown’ heroes JJ Lehto, who won the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1995, will drive Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 F1 Championship winning car.

However, the Goodwood weekend for McLaren won’t just be about looking back, as headlining the Hillclimb will be the Solus GT in a debut run for the futuristic concept car. Originally featured in the Gran Turismo SPORT video game, every one of the 25 that are due to be produced for customers has already been sold and it is a car developed solely for the track. The naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 produces 840PS and 650Nm of torque, with 0-62mph achievable in 2.5 seconds. A top speed of over 200mph highlights the incredible performance credentials of a car that weighs less than a tonne. The Solus GT is truly a gamechanger and with a single seat and closed cockpit, seeing its run up the hill should be a sight to behold. In addition to taking on the hill, the first Solus GT production car will be on display at McLaren House, the brand’s home during the festival. Fans can pop over for a closer look and to explore more of McLaren’s racing and automotive heritage first hand.

Most recently, McLaren unveiled its lightest (1,277kg) and most powerful production yet in the form of the 750S. Also making its debut at the Festival of Speed, it is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 delivering 750PS and 800Nm and a 0-62mph time of 2.8 seconds and on Thursday 13th, it will be put to the test on the famous hill.

Also taking part in the Hillclimb will be a selection of other McLaren models from past and present. Modern hybrids like the Artura and P1, which marks its tenth anniversary this year, will be put to the test. Looking further back, the McLaren Senna and Elva will take on the hill, as well as the  12C Job #1 – the very first production 12C.

McLaren is just one of a huge number of brands due to make noise at Goodwood in an event stacked with debuts, hill runs and well known drivers and personalities.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: McLaren Automotive