Seventy-five years of Formula 1. Thirty-four World Champions. One weekend at Silverstone.
The Silverstone Festival is about to host the most complete gathering of title-winning F1 cars ever put together. It’s called the World Champions Collection, and it brings cars raced by every single driver to lift the crown since 1950.
This isn’t a static heritage display. More than two-thirds of the entries are the real cars that won titles. The rest are still genuine parts of a champion’s career. The line-up stretches from Giuseppe Farina’s Alfa Romeo 159 to Max Verstappen’s RB18, showing the full sweep of Formula 1 history.
A Walk Through History
The story begins with Farina’s Alfa. Then comes Fangio’s Maserati 250F, Ascari’s Ferrari, Brabham’s pioneering BT20, and many more. Every key moment in Formula 1 is represented.
Britain’s role in the sport gets a special focus. Ten British champions are included. That means Jim Clark’s Lotus 25, Jackie Stewart’s Tyrrell 006, Nigel Mansell’s Williams FW14B, Damon Hill’s FW18, Jenson Button’s Brawn BGP 001, plus two Lewis Hamilton title winners as well as Max Verstappen’s RB18.
John Surtees, still the only man to take world titles on both two and four wheels, will be marked with a double display: his 1960 MV Agusta motorcycle and his very first Surtees F1 car.
More Than Just Cars
It’s not just machinery on show. Six bronze sculptures by British artist Paul Oz will stand alongside the cars. Hamilton, Hunt, Lauda, Schumacher and Senna are all captured in 60 percent scale. Each piece shows personality as much as racing legacy.
Event Director Nick Wigley put it simply: “The World Champions Collection will celebrate Formula 1’s 75th anniversary at Silverstone, where it all began, and honour all 34 champions in style. It’s an unmissable spectacle.”
Retro Racing on Track
The cars in the collection won’t be the only stars. Four retro F1 races are on the bill to bring back the noise and the speed.
- HGPCA grids: Pre-1966 front and rear-engined cars. Maserati 250Fs, Lotus and Brabham machinery from the early sixties.
- Masters Racing Legends: Over 25 cars from the DFV era. Arrows, Williams, McLarens, Tyrrells and more in their original liveries.
- 500cc F3 celebration: A bumper 60-car field for the tiny single-seaters that supported the 1950 British Grand Prix.
In total, 20 retro races will run across the weekend. It turns Silverstone into a living museum.
Festival Atmosphere
The Silverstone Festival 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends of the summer. Historic racing on track. Chart-topping music on stage. Stunt shows, family zones and the Foodie Fest keeping the energy high.
Whether you want a family day out, a night of live music, or a pure motorsport hit, there’s something here for you.
Daily Highlights
Friday – 22 August
- Foodie Fest tastings all day. Live demos from Really Good Sausages, Cheese on Towcest, Hawkstone, Diddly Squat Farm Shop and more. Tastings can be added to your ticket extras.
- Shift & Drift Zone. Terry Grant stunt shows, hot rod parades, dragster demos, and Slowly Sideways rally action. Runs all weekend.
- Williams Racing Fanzone. F1 simulators, STEM workshops, arts and crafts, balloon modelling, photo ops and plenty more. Open 09:00–19:30 Friday to Sunday.
- Kids’ magic show at The Parc, plus a rough guide to engineering workshop.
- Live music: Andrew Cushin at 18:45, Natasha Bedingfield at 20:00.
Saturday – 23 August
- Free entry to the Silverstone Museum with your Festival ticket. Open 09:00–18:00.
- Sporting Bears Dream Rides. Passenger runs in rare and exotic cars.
- Terry Grant stunt shows and the live Collector’s Car Sale.
- Live music from Northants Sings Out and Sapphire before the big headline set from Craig David presents TS5.
Sunday – 24 August
- Foodie Fest sessions from Carmela Hayes, David Atherton and Rob Baker-Gall.
- Tesla test drives running 10:30–17:30. Book early to avoid missing out.
- Historic F1 grid walk, hot rod parades and dragster fire-ups in the afternoon.
- Evening entertainment with Jaguar Skills and Ministry of Sound Classical, followed by the Hot Air Balloon Night Glow at 20:30. A proper way to close the weekend.
Visitor FAQs
When is Silverstone Festival 2025?
Friday 22 August to Sunday 24 August. The full Bank Holiday weekend.
What time do gates open?
From 08:00 every day. Entertainment and attractions start from 09:00.
Where is it held?
At Silverstone Circuit on the Northamptonshire–Buckinghamshire border. The home of British motorsport.
Who’s performing?
Friday: Natasha Bedingfield
Saturday: Craig David presents TS5
Sunday: Ministry of Sound Classical
Plenty of other acts fill the weekend, along with Foodie Fest demos and appearances from celebrity chefs.
What else can I do?
Classic car club displays, interactive family zones, driving simulators, food stalls, track experiences and shopping villages. It’s not just racing.
Can I camp?
Yes. You can camp all weekend, with options from standard pitches to electric hook-ups. Bigger plots are available too. Book early because camping usually sells out fast. That way you can roll straight from your tent to the track.
How do I get tickets?
Head to the Silverstone Festival website. Choose from single-day tickets, full weekend passes, evening entry, camping or hospitality. Kids under 15 go free with a paying adult, making it ideal for families.
Can I watch online?
Yes. Highlights and replays will be on the Silverstone Festival YouTube channel. For live updates, follow @SilverstoneUK across socials.
Tickets
Coffee Corner Motorsport will be on-site all weekend. I’ll be at Silverstone Festival to bring you the latest as it happens, from the World Champions Collection displays to the retro races and paddock atmosphere.
🎟 Tickets are available now at Silverstone Festival’s official site. Advance booking gives the best prices.