Goodwood opens; Apollo EVO makes production debut

Apollo Automobil used the opening day of the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed to show the production Apollo EVO, adding one of the headline unveilings to an event already stacked with manufacturer launches, hillclimb runs and Formula 1 appearances. Goodwood says this year’s festival runs from July 9 to July 12 at Goodwood House in West Sussex. Formula 1 said multiple teams and drivers are on site this weekend, as the event opens under the theme “The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels.” ### Why is the Apollo EVO debut getting attention? Apollo’s own model page describes the EVO as the “next leap” in the company’s evolution and says the car uses a full carbon monocoque, active aerodynamics and an electronically adjustable aero system with a deployable rear spoiler. The company’s homepage now features the Apollo EVO as its lead model. Auto industry outlets had flagged the car before the gates opened. Autoevolution reported that Apollo was unveiling the production version of the Apollo EVO at Goodwood, while Motor1 listed the event among the weekend’s notable debuts and said the launch slate included 1,500-horsepower electric supercars, hybrid race cars and concept vehicles. (goodwood.com) ### What exactly opened at Goodwood on Thursday? Goodwood’s official event page lists the 2026 Festival of Speed from July 9 through July 12 and describes it as the latest edition of its annual gathering of “cars, stars and motorsport royalty.” The event’s planning pages say visitors can follow the timetable, entry list and site map across the weekend. (apollofmg.com) The timetable page says the program includes hillclimb activity across the festival, while Goodwood’s advance event material said the 2026 edition would also include balcony moments, themed displays and a new FOS Fan Zone presented by Pirelli. (apollofmg.com) Goodwood said last week that the event would offer one of its broadest displays of contemporary Formula 1 machinery outside a Grand Prix weekend. (goodwood.com) ### Which Formula 1 names are involved this weekend? Formula 1 said in a Thursday preview that the festival would “make its return this weekend” with action from July 9-12 and that a “host of familiar faces” from the sport would appear at the annual event. The series said many of them were preparing to tackle Goodwood’s hillclimb in historic and current-era machinery. (media.goodwood.com) Goodwood had already pointed to the scale of that presence. In a pre-event release published last week, the organizer said cars and drivers attending across the weekend would create one of the most comprehensive displays of contemporary Formula 1 away from a race meeting. ### What is the festival trying to showcase this year? Goodwood said the 2026 theme is “The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels.” In announcing the theme last year, the organizer said the festival would focus on head-to-head contests from across motorsport and the people and machines tied to them. (formula1.com) For visitors, that means the program is not limited to static reveals. (media.goodwood.com) Goodwood’s planning pages say the event combines launch activity with live running, and the official site directs fans to the timetable and digital channels for updates throughout the four-day schedule. ### Where can people follow the next steps? Goodwood says the 2026 Festival of Speed continues through Sunday, July 12, at Goodwood House. (media.goodwood.com) The official timetable and plan-your-day pages are being updated for daily sessions, while Formula 1 and manufacturer channels are posting participant and vehicle details as the weekend continues. (goodwood.com 1) (goodwood.com 2)