Liam Lawson said driving the legendary Ford GT40 #2 at Goodwood’s hillclimb was “indescribable” after shaking with adrenaline as the historic machine glided over the Mountain.
Lawson, the Racing Bulls Formula One driver‑turned‑tourist, was granted a last‑minute licence to take the car, reportedly asking the owner “Can I please?” upon spotting it on the day. The owner, amused, let him behind the wheel of the Ford that fellow New Zealander Bruce McLaren used to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
After completing the climb he reflected that the experience “tick[s] that bucket‑list item out of his life.” He described a distinct vibration, frequency and roaring noise unlike anything in his current machinery, and admitted struggling to stay under a set RPM limit when the engine sang in the upper rev range.
“My hands are still shaking; it was very special, obviously, a lot of New Zealand history in this car,” Lawson added. “I drove a road‑going GT40 last year,” he noted, “but when I was here, all I could think about was this car.”
He paused after that, deciding to stay in the cockpit a little longer. “The feeling you get when driving a car like this is completely… indescribable. It’s not like anything we drive today,” he said, highlighting the GT40’s unique handling and sound.
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