As one of the most celebrated global motorsport events, the Goodwood Festival of Speed compliments TAG Heuer’s exceptional line up of automotive partnerships and provides a new platform for the company to celebrate its connection to automotive culture.The theme of the event for 2025 will be “The Winning Formula – Champions and Challengers” as a showcase to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, and there could be no better talking point in the first year TAG Heuer returns to the West Sussex countryside, as the watchmaker is now back as the Official Timekeeper to Formula 1.
A continuous legacy
TAG Heuer is renowned for its incredible connection to motorsport dating back to the birth of the discipline. With chronographs and timekeeping at the heart of the company, premieres including the first dashboard mounted chronograph in 1911, the first 1/100th second chronograph in 1916, the first commercially available automatic chronograph in 1969, relationships with the great teams, drivers and racing disciplines, there is no other watchmaker with a deeper connection to motor racing.
Today with a partnership portfolio including the greatest properties in the automotive universe, including Formula 1, Porsche, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Indianapolis 500, the Automobile Club de Monaco, and the Carrera Panamericana, it is only natural to continue this story alongside these incredible names with the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Celebrating automotive culture
Established in 1993 by Charles Richmond, then Lord March, now the 11th Duke of Richmond, the Festival of Speed is centered around the hillclimb, a timed competition covering 1.86 kilometres (1.16 miles) over an elevation of nearly 100 metres (300 feet) with an average gradient of close to 5%. Today the record is held by the McMutry Spéirling that was piloted by Max Chilton during the 2022 event with a time of 39.08 seconds.
Alongside the main hillclimb event is a Forest Rally Stage, and multiple paddocks of cars and motorcycles curated around different themes, including supercars, competition cars and historic vehicles. The event has also provided the backdrop for many world premieres of new models from manufacturers, including the dynamic reveal of the new generation Porsche 911 Carrera GTS in 2024.
A focal point of the festivities is the Central Feature display on the lawn in front of Goodwood House. A large-scale sculpture usually adorned with iconic cars from a marque honouring a milestone for the year of the festival, it has become an icon of the automotive annual calendar. Past examples included celebrations for Porsche, such as for 75 years of competition motorsport in 2023, and the 50th anniversary of the 911 in 2013.
With hundreds of thousands of people attending the event in person and millions more tuning into live steams and interacting on social media, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the biggest automotive events and provides a gateway for so many to share their love for cars and motorsport. With educational initiatives and showcasing the latest technology the hillclimb, the Festival of Speed has become a platform for the future of motoring and mobility.
To celebrate the return of TAG Heuer to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a special watch has been created paying homage to the relationship. Taking the renowned TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph as its basis, powered by the in-house TH20-00 movement in a 42 mm case, the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Festival of Speed plays on codes from British automotive culture.Featuring a dial in British racing green inspired by the eponymous Goodwood Green and sophisticated hobnail texture, complimented by red accents, and a brown leather rally strap that speaks of the golden era of motor racing in the 1970s, the watch will be a limited edition of 100 pieces that will be initially offered to Members of the Goodwood Road Racing Club, before going on general sale.
“Motorsport is not just about the competition, it is a cultural force, just like TAG Heuer, and we are honoured to return as Timing Partner at the Goodwood Festival of Speed” said Antoine Pin, CEO of TAG Heuer. “Celebrating the artist expression of the automotive universe and those who shape it, while providing a moment to look to the future of innovation in the industry, we could think of no better event to partner with and share our passion for these topics.”
The Duke of Richmond CBE DL, founder of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, said: “TAG Heuer has the most incredible connection to motor racing, and boasts an illustrious history, working with some of the greatest drivers and teams in the sport. I am absolutely delighted to welcome them back to the Festival of Speed as our Official Timing Partner, and that we will realise our shared passion for motorsport with the creation of a special Festival of Speed watch which takes its inspiration from the great British motorsport tradition.”
