Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve set for 2026 Goodwood Revival showdown in Jaguar E-types

Formula 1 champions Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button are set to go head-to-head in the RAC TT Celebration at the 2026 Goodwood Revival.

Both the 1997 and 2009 champions, who were previously team-mates at British American Racing (BAR) Honda in 2003, will get behind the wheel of Jaguar E-types - Button in his ‘CUT 8’ E-type and Villeneuve in the 'CUT 7’ E-type.

Button will return to the Revival after winning his first race at the 2025 event - the Freddie March Memorial Trophy - which he raced in his own Jaguar C-type. Villeneuve was also at the 2025 event, racing the 'Hairy Canary' AC Cobra around the famed Goodwood Circuit. 

“I’ve been at the Festival [of Speed], but this [Revival] is a great era,” the Canadian told Goodwood ahead of last year's event.

“I drove my dad’s T3 at the Festival [of Speed] that belonged to Nick Mason. It was nice. I caught myself locking the wheels and just had to go ‘OK, no, calm down’. It was a show, a celebration, revving the engine. It’s incredible, what the Duke has managed to build with the Festival and the Revival and this venue. 

“It’s great seeing younger generations getting into vintage stuff. What I like is to think the young generation are interested. Because the past is what makes us today and this is part of our history and so to see them interested makes them understand better how we got to where we are today. I find that really, really good.

Goodwood Revival track action

Photo by: Jeff Bloxham

“In that era, the racing was so passionate – these daredevils would wake up every morning and were not sure if they would get back home. They really created this strong-knit feel and built the respect and passion with the fans because as a fan, you knew you weren’t made of the same cloth. I’m happy I didn’t race back then, because I would not have survived. I am too much of a risk taker.”

This also comes after Button drove his championship-winning Brawn GP F1 car at the Goodwood Members' Meeting in April.

The 2026 Goodwood Revival will take place from 18-20 September, and tickets are currently available via the official Goodwood website.