More Than Machines: The People and Dreams Behind Honda at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026
From electrified innovation to racing heritage, meet the people bringing Honda’s dreams to life at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026.
At Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026, Honda brought together a distinctive line-up that reflects the breadth of its engineering spirit.
The Prelude HRC Concept made its world-first dynamic appearance. Honda Super‑N and Honda WN7 showcased different approaches to electrified mobility. The CB1000F connected past and present. And the Williams Honda FW11 celebrated a defining chapter in Honda's Formula One™ history.
But behind every machine is a story. And behind every story are people.
The engineers who challenge convention. The drivers and riders who turn ideas to reality. The passion, curiosity and determination that continue to shape Honda today.
We spoke to some of the people behind Honda's Goodwood story.
Heritage and Innovation
Hans de Jaeger: A vision that connects past and future of Honda in Europe
For Hans de Jaeger, President of Honda Motor Europe, Goodwood is more than a celebration of automotive culture. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how Honda continues to evolve:
"For Honda, Goodwood is a platform to demonstrate how our engineering brings together heritage, innovation and the future of mobility."
That philosophy was reflected throughout Honda’s 2026 line-up at Goodwood.
From Honda Super‑N and Honda WN7, showcasing Honda's approach to electrification, to products that draw inspiration from the company's rich engineering and motorsport heritage.
The Future of Performance
Jessica Hawkins: What defines performance today?
As Aston Martin Aramco Formula One™ Team Head of F1™ Academy and Driver Ambassador, Jessica Hawkins drove both the Prelude HRC Concept and Honda Super‑N at Goodwood.
Jessica’s view of performance reflects how rapidly expectations are changing:
"Performance today is about precision, control and how technology helps you push the limits with confidence."
Whether behind the wheel of the Prelude HRC Concept or exploring new approaches to electrified mobility, the focus is increasingly shifting from outright speed towards confidence, connection and control.
The Passion Behind Every Honda
Tiago Monteiro: Engineering you can feel
The Prelude HRC Concept represents Honda's desire to continue exploring the potential of its sports DNA.
But for Tiago Monteiro, what makes Honda special goes much deeper than any individual product:
"The special thing about Honda is that every time I meet a Honda engineer, they are so passionate about what they are doing that I can feel it every time I get in the car."
Behind every vehicle is a team of people driven by an ambition to make driving more engaging, more enjoyable and more rewarding."
Racing Heritage That Continues to Inspire
Ryo Michigami: Bringing history back to life
Few vehicles better represent Honda's racing heritage than the Williams Honda FW11.
Forty years after Honda's first Formula One™ Constructors' Championship title, the FW11 celebrated that milestone with a run up the hill at Goodwood.
With Ryo Michigami behind the wheel, it served as a reminder that racing has always been one of Honda's greatest proving grounds for engineering and innovation.
The technologies evolve. The spirit remains the same.
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Dreams That Endure
Freddie Spencer: A connection across generations
The CB1000F may represent a new chapter, but its inspiration reaches back through Honda's motorcycle heritage.
Few people embody that connection better than motorcycle legend Freddie Spencer.
When asked what has always made Honda special, his answer was simple:
"It gave me my dreams. And it can give you yours too."
Perhaps that is the thread connecting every Honda story.
From engineers and innovators to drivers and riders.
From heritage to innovation.
From dreams to reality.
Your dreams. Engineered.
