Williams to Reunite Damon Hill with Championship Car at Goodwood

Williams Racing will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Damon Hill's 1996 World Championship by reuniting the legendary driver with his title-winning FW18 car at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Team Principal James Vowles will also drive the iconic car, joined by Williams reserve driver Luke Browning and WEC driver Jamie Chadwick for a weekend of historic runs up the famous hillclimb.

Why it matters:

This event is a powerful nod to Williams' storied past during a period of intense focus on rebuilding its future. Reconnecting with its championship heritage provides a tangible link between the team's glorious history and its current ambitions under Vowles' leadership. For fans, it's a rare opportunity to see a dominant car from a golden era in action, driven by the very champion who made it famous.

The details:

• The centerpiece of the celebration is the FW18, the car that secured Williams' eighth Constructors' Championship by winning 12 of the 16 races in the 1996 season.
• Driver Lineup: The car will be piloted by 1996 champion Damon Hill and current Team Principal James Vowles, who also drove Nigel Mansell's FW14B at the event last year.
• Supporting Cast: Williams Reserve Driver Luke Browning and Williams-affiliated WEC driver Jamie Chadwick will participate in the team's broader celebrations throughout the weekend.
• Special Honor: Hill will also be honored in a separate ceremony on the balcony of Goodwood House on Saturday, June 11th.

What's next:

The Festival of Speed runs from this Thursday through Sunday, with the Williams FW18 and its drivers performing multiple runs each day. This event serves as a symbolic bridge, celebrating past success while the team continues its meticulous multi-year journey back to competitiveness. For Hill and long-time fans, it's a poignant return to a machine that defined an era for one of Formula 1's most successful teams.