Silverstone Festival 2025 – Sunday Highlights

A fitting grand finale to an epic weekend—Sunday was all about racing action, historic celebration, and a spectacular musical crescendo.

As the final notes reverberated through the night sky, the curtain came down on 35 incredible years of retro racing glory. It was a fitting finale to a record-breaking festival that has captivated millions of passionate fans and welcomed thousands of spirited competitors across four remarkable decades. The festival’s emotional crescendo was heightened by a breathtaking display from the British Army’s Red Devils Parachute Team, whose precision skydives lit up the crowd before Ministry of Sound Classical delivered a euphoric last dance.

Celebrating the Icons – Awards & Honours

Among the weekend’s many highlights were the prestigious accolades awarded to clubs and individuals who have helped make the festival the pinnacle of historic motorsport.

• The Adrian Flux Car Club of the Show went to the Caterham and Lotus 7 Club, recognised for its spectacular display and vibrant celebration of automotive heritage.

• The Club Car of the Show was awarded to the BMW Car Club, whose breathtaking line-up showcased one of every model in the legendary 3-Series range – a stunning tribute to 50 years of engineering excellence.

• Off-track, the Mervyn Garton ‘Scarf and Goggles’ Trophy – presented to the best visitor attraction – was deservedly claimed by Mark Constanduros of Motorvation PR for curating the remarkable World Champions Collection, an exhibit that drew enthusiasts in droves.

Meanwhile, on the asphalt, the Stuart Graham ‘Scarf and Goggles’ Trophy for the most admired racing car was awarded to Steve Hartley and his McLaren MP4/1 – a machine etched into Formula 1 folklore after John Watson’s legendary charge from 17th to victory at the 1981 Long Beach Grand Prix.

Racing to the Final Flag

As the sun dipped below the Silverstone horizon, casting a golden glow over the historic circuit, the 1970 Lola T70 – shared by Alex Brundle and Gary Pearson – crossed the line to claim the final chequered flag of the 2025 Festival. It marked the end of not just another sensational weekend, but also the conclusion of a chapter spanning three and a half decades of motorsport magic.

The day’s action-packed programme delivered a fitting crescendo of racing drama:

• The Masters GT Trophy treated fans to a thrilling Lamborghini 1-2 finish, with two Gallardo GT3s dominating the field in a display of Italian power and precision.

• The Masters Endurance Legends race brought Le Mans spirit to Silverstone, where Steve Brooks claimed back-to-back victories, proving unstoppable across both contests.

• In a stirring homage to touring car royalty, the race honouring four-time BTCC champion Andy Rouse was won by the Kaliber-liveried 1989 Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 – a car originally built by Andy Rouse Engineering. Adding a touch of nostalgia, Rouse himself took to the podium to present the trophies.

Elsewhere, Tom Bradshaw delivered a masterclass in control, overcoming a reverse-grid challenge to score two wins from two in his McLaren during the evocative Historic F1 races, while Will Nuthall mirrored the feat with a flawless double victory in his Cooper.

Touring Car Heroes & Iconic Battles

The Royal Automobile Club Historic Tourist Trophy served up one of the weekend’s most gripping duels, pitching Michael Gans’s nimble 1963 Lotus Elite against the thunderous 1961 Jaguar E-type of the Pearson brothers. In a true David vs Goliath battle, the Lotus crossed the line first but, having been entered in an invitational class, victory was handed to the Pearsons – a result that delighted the crowd after they fended off a ferocious late charge from Davide Hart’s stunning 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB.

Fans were also treated to a dose of vintage charm as Richard Hammond entertained onlookers behind the wheel of a beautifully prepared 1961 Austin-Healey Mk3, bringing an extra spark of personality to the packed touring car schedule.

Formula Junior Thrills & Final Triumphs

The festival’s climactic morning began with an adrenaline-charged Formula Junior race – a slipstreaming thriller that showcased precision racing at its finest. Fitz-Simon, having narrowly missed out on Saturday, made no mistakes this time, securing a commanding victory ahead of Wilson, whose runner-up finish sealed the Howden Ganley Trophy on aggregate.

As the engines finally fell silent and the final chequered flag fluttered in the evening breeze, Silverstone bid farewell to an era. The 2025 Festival was more than a celebration of motorsport history – it was a love letter to racing itself, an unforgettable weekend where legends of the past roared back to life one last time, thrilling a new generation of fans in the process.