The team will continue to recognise Senna 30 years on, also celebrating 50 years since the 1974 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships and Indianapolis 500 win.
McLaren Racing today announced its line up for the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The papaya outfit will run two cars up the hill, representing important anniversaries for the team. This year marks 30 years since the passing of racing icon Ayrton Senna, but also 50 years on since the team’s first golden year, 1974, where McLaren won both the Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, as well as the Indianapolis 500.
To recognise these anniversaries, the team will run Senna’s 1991 championship winning MP4/6, driven by his nephew Bruno Senna. Emerson Fittipaldi will drive his championship winning M23. Johnny Rutherford’s Indianapolis 500 winning M16C/D will also be on display in the McLaren garage.
The MP4/6 won 8 out of 16 races in the 1991 season, seven with Senna behind the wheel. He secured an additional five podiums that year, leading him to win his third and final World Championship. Bruno Senna will drive the MP4/6, continuing to recognise and celebrate his uncle’s legacy 30 years on.
McLaren saw its first Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships racing the M23 in 1974, with Emerson Fittipaldi winning three races and claiming the title by just three points. Marking the 50th anniversary since the team’s success in 1974, he will return to the car once again.
The M16C/D won four races in 1974, most notably the Indianapolis 500, McLaren’s first Indianapolis 500 win as a team. Continuing the 50th anniversary celebrations, the M16C/D will be on display in the McLaren garage to recognise Johnny Rutherford’s achievement.
McLaren Racing will be based in the Formula 1 Paddock and will run up the hill once on Thursday and twice on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Goodwood Festival of Speed takes place in the grounds of Goodwood House, Chichester between 11 and 14 July.
Piers Thynne, Chief Operating Officer, McLaren Formula 1 Team, said:
“It’s great to return to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with an iconic line up to celebrate two significant anniversaries for the team.
“Senna plays an incredibly important part of McLaren’s Heritage, and what better way to continue to celebrate his legacy than by running one of his championship winning his cars with his nephew Bruno behind the wheel. We’ll also recognise the team’s achievements 50 years on from 1974. It’s a privilege to have Emerson back in his championship winning M23, alongside Johnny Rutherford’s Indy 500 winning M16C/D on display.
“Our past fuels our present, so the Goodwood Festival of Speed is a great way to recognise the team’s achievements and celebrate our steep history as a race team. We all look forward to attending the Festival.”
