Goodwood will celebrate Damon Hill with a special tribute at this year’s Festival of Speed (July 9-13, 2026). It comes on the 30th anniversary of the legendary driver’s 1996 Formula 1 World Championship win with Williams.
Born in London in 1960, Hill entered motor sport later than many of his contemporaries, initially competing in motorcycle racing before switching to cars in his early 20s. He progressed through the British single-seater ranks, racing in Formula Ford, Formula Three and Formula 3000, where steady results and technical understanding defined his early development.
Hill joined Formula 1 in 1992 with the Brabham team, before securing a drive with Williams the following season. His time at Williams coincided with one of the most competitive periods in the sport, and he emerged as a consistent front-running driver. Between 1993 and 1996, Hill claimed 21 of his 22 Grand Prix victories, finishing runner-up in the World Championship in both 1994 and 1995 before securing the title in 1996. That championship made him the first son of a Formula 1 World Champion – his father Graham Hill – to win the title himself.
After leaving Williams at the end of 1996, Damon raced for Arrows and Jordan, achieving his final Grand Prix victory at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix. He retired from Formula 1 at the end of 1999 with 22 wins and 42 podium finishes.
At this year’s Festival of Speed, Damon Hill will be reunited with several cars from his racing career, with a dedicated balcony moment scheduled for Saturday July 11. He has been a regular participant at Goodwood events over many years, including appearances at the Festival of Speed hillclimb and the Goodwood Revival. The anniversary moment forms part of the wider Festival of Speed programme, reflecting both Hill’s career achievements and his long-standing involvement with the Goodwood Estate.
“Goodwood has always been a special place for the Hill family – my parents came to nearby Bognor Regis for their honeymoon in 1955 because my father was racing in the Nine-Hour race the same weekend, and I have been a patron since the very first Festival of Speed in 1993,” said Hill. “Goodwood’s fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and it will be a real privilege to share my anniversary with such an appreciative audience.”
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