Williams team principal Vowles and Mansell to drive championship-winning car at Goodwood

12:57, 13 May

Updated: 13:33, 13 May

byOlly Darcy

Williams have announced that Nigel Mansell and James Vowles will be taking part in the Goodwood Festival of Speed, driving the iconic FW14B Williams to celebrate the 75th year of Formula 1.

The FW14B was the car that saw Mansell race to his only world championship in 1992, along with him and Italian Riccardo Patrese winning the 1992 constructors' title.

The FW14B, a car designed by Adrian Newey, will be driven by Vowles, along with Williams Brand Ambassador & F1 Academy Adviser Jamie Chadwick, and F1 Academy driver Lia Block throughout the festival, which takes place between 10-13 July. Mansell will be behind the wheel over the weekend on the 12th and 13th.

During last year's festival, 20 years of Red Bull Racing were celebrated, with Max Verstappen driving his 2021 championship-winning car up the Goodwood hill, along with David Coulthard, Christian Klien, Mark Webber, Daniel Ricciardo, Sergio Perez, and even Christian Horner.

At the 2022 British Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel drove the FW14B, a car he owns, around Silverstone in front of many fans

Vowles "honoured" to be taking part in this event

For team boss Vowles, getting the opportunity to drive a car steeped in Williams' history will be an "incredible" moment.

“It’s fantastic news that Jamie, Lia and I will all be driving the FW14B up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year," the Brit started by saying.

"When you walk around the museum at our base in Grove, the 14B is the car that stands out. This is a dream come true; an iconic car, with such a huge list of success. The 14B had technology that was way ahead of its time, and it’s so well known for not only what it achieved but how it took the team forward. Taking it to Goodwood and having the honour of driving it is going to be incredible.”

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Chadwick was also extremely excited to be involved in this year's festival, something she remembers from an early age.

“One of my earliest memories is from the Festival of Speed; I didn’t start in the sport until later, and I went when I was about 10. That was my first time being exposed to so many cars and to F1," the three-time W Series champion explained.

"It’s also the place I drove my first F1 car, so it’s very special. The FW14B is the most iconic car that we have in our collection at Williams. With the active suspension and everything that this car stood for in its time, it’s simply legendary. The sound of it is unbelievable, so I’ll be getting my earplugs ready.”

For F1 Academy driver Block, it will not be her first time at the festival driving an F1 car, but driving an "iconic" car will be different.

"Last year was a very big moment for me being able to drive an F1 car up the hill. It was a dream come true, and Goodwood is so special to me because so many people from different areas of motorsport come together to celebrate the sport. This year is going to be an iconic experience for me in an iconic car – I can’t wait!”, Block stated.