Current Formula One World Championship leader, Fernando Alonso, will drive the Renault R24 F1 car at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, staged on June 24.25.26. The young Spaniard will make his Goodwood debut on the Sunday of the event, joined by a host of contemporary stars, including Jenson Button, David Coulthard, Takuma Sato, Olivier Panis and Anthony Davidson. Also attending for the first time is four-times World Champion Alain Prost, who is due to drive his title-winning 1989 McLaren-Honda MP4/5.

The Festival's unique ability to attract the top works Formula One teams is its key strength, and seven teams are expected to display and demonstrate their latest machinery on the front drive of Goodwood House in 2005. Nowhere else in the world can you get so close to the latest and greatest cars and drivers.

Expect to see: BAR-Honda: here to celebrate 'Honda's 40 Years of Grand Prix Success'. It is expected that Takuma Sato will drive on Saturday and Jenson Button on Sunday. Ferrari: the team has confirmed it will attend with a contemporary car McLaren-Mercedes: it is hoped that a recent car will be in action Red Bull-Cosworth: F1's newest team is set to attend, with star driver David Coulthard at the wheel on both Saturday and Sunday.

Renault R24: will be in action all weekend, with the World Championship's latest star, Fernando Alonso, driving on the Sunday Toyota: will once more demonstrate its latest car, with Monaco GP winner Olivier Panis in action all weekend. Williams-BMW: last year's car is expected to be in action on Saturday and Sunday The Festival is firmly established as the world's biggest celebration of the history of motor sport, once again incorporating some of the greatest and most famous cars and bikes from all over the planet.

Nowhere else in the world will you experience such an intoxicating blend of speed and drama, from the gnashing of a pioneering chain-drive road racer to the spine-tingling shriek of the latest Formula 1 technology. The Festival promises to be packed with action and excitement as the world's most glamorous racing machinery and famous drivers gather in the grounds of Goodwood House for what The Times described as 'the garden party of the Gods'.

Entry into the event will be strictly by advance ticket only, so visitors will need to ensure that they book in plenty of time so as to avoid any last-minute disappointment. The change to an advance ticket only policy (made in 2004) was successfully implemented in order to preserve the Festival's unique relaxed atmosphere following a period of sustained growth. Our aim is, purely and simply, to ensure that all visitors enjoy excellent views of the action and the best possible experience at the event.

To order advance tickets, please contact the Ticket Hotline by telephone on +44 1243 755055, fax on +44 1243 755058 or email via: fos@goodwood.co.uk; otherwise, book online at: www.goodwood.co.uk.. You will find the latest news of the Festival of Speed at: www.goodwood.co.uk If you would like more information please contact Janet Bradley in the Goodwood Motor Sport Press Office by telephone on +44 1243 755109, fax on +44 1243 755115, or email via: speed@goodwood.co.uk.