The 2025 Donington Historic Festival, a premier annual event celebrating classic motorsport held at Donington Park from May 2-4, showcased a diverse array of historic racing cars spanning several decades, including everything from pre-war sports cars to modern GT3 classics.
For the first time in the event’s history, attendees were treated to seeing the full-length Donington Park Grand Prix circuit being used, adding even more grandeur to an already beloved venue.
In addition to the wheel-to-wheel action on track, there were also numerous car club displays, with some participating in special parade laps. This included clubs such as the Supercar Driver Club, where we witnessed a Bugatti Divo on track alongside the iconic Ferrari F40. The juxtaposition of these machines highlighted the evolution of automotive technology while simultaneously celebrating the roots of performance engineering.
Adding to the weekend’s standout moments, the Donington Historic Festival featured demonstrations of two iconic Formula 1 machines – the Williams FW22 and the Benetton B198. The FW22, originally driven by Jenson Button during his 2000 rookie season, was piloted by six-time Indy 500 entrant James Davison.
The raw scream of its 800hp-plus BMW V10 engine echoing around Donington was a spine-tingling reminder of F1’s visceral past, a stark contrast to the turbocharged V6 engines of today. Not to be outshone, the Benetton B198 – once raced by Giancarlo Fisichella and driven on the day by Rob Spencer – brought late-1990s nostalgia to life with its iconic blue livery and its own distinct V10 howl.
Visitors to the event had the rare chance to get up close to these and other race-prepped classics, with owners and teams enthusiastically sharing the stories, technical intricacies, and legacy behind their machines.
With an open paddock and welcoming atmosphere, the accessibility and laid-back nature of the festival added to its charm, allowing fans of all ages to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of historic motorsport.
Whether it was the glint of polished chrome, the scent of high-octane fuel, or the emotions stirred by a familiar livery, the Donington Historic Festival once again proved why it holds a special place on the UK motorsport calendar.
