(Motorsport-Total.com) – Big names for a big event: The two Formula 1 world champions Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button will compete head-to-head at the Goodwood Revival 2026. The two champions are entered for the prestigious “RAC TT Celebration”.
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Especially charming: The title holders from 1997 and 2009, who raced together for British American Racing (BAR) with Honda in the top class in 2003, will both take the wheel of a Jaguar E-Type. While Button will sit in his well-known “CUT 8” model, Villeneuve will pilot the “CUT 7” E-Type.
For Button, the return to Goodwood is associated with good memories. Only in 2025 did he celebrate his first victory at the Revival there, when he won the Freddie March Memorial Trophy in his own Jaguar C-Type. Villeneuve was also part of the event last year and chased the “Hairy Canary” AC Cobra around the legendary course in southern England.
Villeneuve raves about the “Spirit” at Goodwood
“I have already been to the Festival of Speed, but this [the Revival] is a great era,” the Canadian explained in advance of last year’s event to Goodwood.
He recalls emotional moments: “I drove my father’s T3 at the Festival, which now belongs to Nick Mason. That was nice. I caught myself leaving the wheels standing and had to tell myself: ‘Okay, no, calm down.’ It was a show, a celebration, you let the engine roar. It’s incredible what the Duke has built with the Festival, the Revival, and this place.”
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“Probably wouldn’t have survived back then”
Villeneuve is particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the younger fans: “It’s great to see how the younger generations are excited about this vintage stuff. The past is what makes us who we are today. If they are interested in it, they better understand how we got to where we are today.”
The respect for the heroes of past days is huge with Villeneuve. “In this era, motorsport was so passionate – these daredevils woke up every morning not knowing if they would make it home again,” said the former world champion.
And he adds with a good dose of self-irony: “They created this strong sense of community and earned the respect and passion of the fans. I’m glad I didn’t race back then – I probably wouldn’t have survived. I just take too many risks.”
Button himself recently caused a stir in April at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting when he drove his 2009 world championship car, the Brawn GP. The Goodwood Revival 2026 will take place from September 18 to 20.
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