Damon Hill, James Vowles, Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick to make hillclimb in FW18 at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026

The appearance celebrates 30 years since Damon Hill’s 1996 World Championship, with the FW18 returning to the hillclimb

Published

13 APR 2026

Est. reading time

3 min

Atlassian Williams F1 Team is pleased to announce its driver roster for the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, with Damon Hill, James Vowles, Luke Browning and Jamie Chadwick set to take on the hillclimb in the championship-winning FW18.

The iconic event will see Williams Ambassador Damon Hill reunited with the car that carried him to the 1996 FIA Formula One Drivers’ World Championship, secured in unforgettable fashion at the Japanese Grand Prix. As part of the festival celebrations, Damon will be honoured on the balcony of Goodwood House on Saturday 11th July, marking 30 years since his historic title triumph.

After driving Mansell's FW14B at last year’s event, Team Principal James Vowles returns to the Festival of Speed to drive one of the most dominant cars in Formula 1 history. The FW18 secured 12 wins out of 16 races, shared between Damon and his teammate and Williams Ambassador Jacques Villeneuve, delivering Williams’ eighth World Constructors’ Championship. It is returning to the track following an extensive restoration carried out by Williams F1 Team - Heritage, bringing it back to its period-correct specification.

Vowles will be joined by Atlassian Williams F1 Team Reserve Driver Luke Browning, who makes his hillclimb debut at Goodwood. Alongside his reserve duties, he is competing in Japan’s premier racing series, Super Formula, where he impressed in the opening round by charging from P21 to P4. The performance builds on a strong 2025 Formula 2 campaign, in which he fought for the championship throughout the season and finished fourth overall.

Ambassador and F1 Academy Adviser Jamie Chadwick also makes her return to the Festival of Speed, having previously taken to the wheel of the FW08 in 2023 and the FW14B in 2025. Since her last appearance at Goodwood, Jamie has competed in the European Le Mans Series in LMP2 where she became the first female racer to secure an outright victory in ELMS.

James Vowles, Team Principal:

“Goodwood is an incredibly special event that showcases the best of British motorsport, and it’s an honour to be taking on the hillclimb alongside Damon, Jamie and Luke this year. To see Damon reunited with the FW18 as we mark 30 years since his World Drivers’ Championship is hugely meaningful for the team and for motorsport fans. Moments like these bring together our past, present and future, and that’s something we’re proud to celebrate.”

Damon Hill, Brand Ambassador:

“I am delighted and very excited to be reunited with my championship-winning FW18 and Williams who made it all possible at this summer's Festival of Speed. To see the car return to Goodwood 30 years later, and to share that moment with the fans, is truly amazing. Thanks to the team at Grove for their work in getting the FW18 back on track. I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel!”

The Duke of Richmond, CBE DL, founder of the Festival of Speed:

"Formula 1 has been an essential part of the Festival of Speed since the very early days, and Williams were one of the first teams to appear, way back in 1994. Our fans are passionate about modern F1, but also knowledgeable about the sport’s history, and I know they'll be delighted to see Atlassian Williams F1 Team across the weekend. It will be fantastic to see James, Jamie and Luke in action, but the most special moment for me will be honouring Damon, on the 30th anniversary of his World Championship. Damon has been an ambassador since the first Festival of Speed and remains one of Goodwood’s most loyal supporters. I am immensely grateful to Williams F1 Team - Heritage for their support in restoring and preparing the FW18 for this special moment."

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