Mercedes-Benz Steals the Show at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024

The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, known as "the world's largest motorized garden party", witnessed an extraordinary display from Mercedes-Benz, celebrating "130 years of motorsport" with a historic parade that left attendees in awe. The event, which drew significant attention both on-site and across social media, highlighted Mercedes-Benz's unparalleled legacy in racing.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 racing car from 1955 in front of the Goodwood House.

One of the standout attractions was the "Blue Wonder", the 1955 racing car transporter capable of speeds up to 170 km/h, which showcased the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 car. This iconic Silver Arrow, driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, secured back-to-back Formula 1 World Championships in 1954 and 1955, symbolizing Mercedes-Benz's dominance in the sport. The festival also featured a remarkable demonstration run of the 100-year-old Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car, driven by Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage, with Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, as a passenger. The Duke, who has been hosting the Goodwood Festival of Speed since its inception in 1993 on his family estate in Sussex, England, praised the exceptional restoration work done by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, which brought the 1924 race car back to its former glory.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, demonstration drive of the 1924 Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car. Left at the wheel: Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage. On the right, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, host of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Mercedes-Benz's presence at the event was a testament to its pioneering spirit and innovation in motorsport. The parade of historic vehicles on the hill climb showcased the brand's rich heritage and its continuous drive for excellence. Each car represented a milestone in the evolution of automotive engineering and performance, captivating the audience with its historical significance and engineering prowess.

Key vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz parade included: · The 1955 racing car transporter, "Blue Wonder," with its 300 SL "Gullwing" engine. · The 1955 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula 1 car, marking the brand's triumphant return to Grand Prix racing. · The 1924 Mercedes 2-litre Targa Florio racing car, winner of the legendary Sicilian road race. · The 1934 Mercedes-Benz W 25, the first Silver Arrow, which debuted at the 1934 Eifelrennen. · The 1990 Mercedes-Benz C 11 Group C race car, securing the 1990 World Sportscar Championship. · The 1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM GT race car, undefeated in the FIA-GT Championship races it entered. · The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, leading a triple victory at the 24 Hours of Dubai. · The Mercedes-AMG GT3 "RAW SPEC" and "130 Years," celebrating the brand's performance and motorsport heritage from Affalterbach.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, historic parade of Mercedes-Benz on the hill climb circuit to mark "130 years of motorsport".

Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage, stated, "Our unique motorsport history began in 1894 with vehicles featuring Daimler two-cylinder V engines winning the first automotive race in France. At Goodwood, we displayed an original engine of this type and showcased milestones from different decades. Thanks to our Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, motorsport fans at Goodwood could witness these racing cars parading on the hill climb, representing 130 years of successful motorsport history and breakthrough technologies. No other manufacturer can offer this heritage, and we are immensely proud of it. Competition and motorsport have driven our brand from the very beginning”.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, presentation of Mercedes-Benz Heritage in the Ballroom Paddock.

Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, added, "It was fantastic to see the parade of 130 years of Mercedes-Benz motorsport climbing the hill in chronological order. Celebrating such an important anniversary so perfectly was a major highlight. I also enjoyed being a passenger in the 1924 Targa Florio car. The Targa Florio was one of the greatest races in the world for many years, a crazy race around Sicily. Sitting in this original car driven by Marcus Breitschwerdt up the hill was a great pleasure!"

The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 was a resounding success, with Mercedes-Benz's historic parade and demonstrations leaving a lasting impression on all who attended, reaffirming the brand's unmatched legacy and its future in motorsport excellence.