Grapevine: Goodwood Festival of Speed Gets Underway

The world-famous Goodwood Festival of Speed got underway on Friday with Briton Jenson Button and his Renault team the star attractions of an event themed as "A history of Heroes".

Button will drive three Renault machines this weekend, as the company celebrates a century of motor racing, and he will be joined by fellow current Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher, of Williams, and Allan McNish, of Toyota.

Schumacher is due to drive last year's FW23 car while former Williams drivers Riccardo Patrese, Clay Regazzoni and 1980 World Champion Alan Jones are all expected to take part in the celebration of the team's 25th anniversary.

Button, meanwhile, will be driving his current R202 machine as well as the 1902 car which won the Paris-Vienna race and a road-going Renault Clio, like the machine he uses as his everday car.

"It should be mega," said Button. "It will be really busy and it is great for the fans to get so close to the cars and for me to meet so many people. It is definitely very different to a race weekend."

Scot McNish will be driving his current Toyota, while British American Racing, Ferrari and McLaren are all expected to make an appearance, as is Sir Jackie Stewart, in a Tyrrell.