Brands Hatch was thrust back in time for the Masters Historic Festival last weekend as Formula 1 machinery spanning several decades took to the Grand Prix Circuit, along with notable faces including McLaren CEO Zak Brown and ex-F1 driver, Stefan Johansson.
There were also outings for classic F2 and F3 cars, and more modern GT machinery was also in action during two scorching days of racing.
Star Driver: Johansson March-es on
Three demo runs took place across the weekend for iconic single-seater machinery, which included a 1993 Tyrrell 021, 1993 Footwork Arrows FA14 and 1994 Jordan 194, driven by Jamie Constable, ex-F1 driver Martin Donnelly and Michael Fitzgerald respectively.
Twelve-time grand prix podium finisher Stefan Johansson was also in the driving seat, catching the attention of fans from behind the wheel of a 1987 March 871 Leyton House. Driven by Ivan Capelli in period, the Cosworth DFZ V8-engined car achieved just a single point-scoring finish in the Monaco Grand Prix as Adrian Newey’s arrival the following season heralded a major redesign.
“It’s such a fantastic race track, it brings back good memories for sure,” said Johansson, who last drove the circuit 40 years ago when Brands Hatch held the 1986 British Grand Prix, when the Swede retired for Ferrari.
“Most of it is the same, I think there’s one corner that’s opened up a little bit compared to what it was before but, apart from that, it’s all the same. It’s one of the best tracks in the world I think – an F1 car here was amazing. Just the flow, the rhythm, the open corners, like most of the old, classic race tracks. No chicanes, God bless!”
Johansson previously drove his 1985 Ferrari at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival “which was fun to do”, and stated that “I might do a few more demos here and there, like Zandvoort or Monza” during the remainder of the season.
Brown a star attraction in Ferrari
McLaren boss ended up being beaten by his son in both Masters Endurance Legends bouts
Photo by: Gary Hawkins
One of the biggest attractions during the two-day event was the appearance of McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who swapped his duties of running a Formula 1 team to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 GTC. The American attracted a large crowd of McLaren papaya on Sunday, as he took to the stage between driving duties.
“I love the race track, I’ve always loved the race track,” said Brown when asked what he does on his weekends off. “I’ve lived on and off in England since 1991, full-time since 2013. I absolutely love it here, the history of motor racing, it’s got such a racing culture and I like being at the race track, whether it’s historic racing, F1 or IndyCar. More racing the better!
“I’ve only raced here a couple of times myself but it’s a fantastic track. I love Silverstone but I think if we could rotate, I know that’s not going to happen, but if we could rotate between Brands Hatch and Silverstone like the good old days, that would be pretty awesome.”
In the two 40-minute Masters Endurance Legends races, where he shared the Ferrari with United Autosports co-founder Richard Dean, Brown started both times and came home seventh and third. However, on each occasion he was beaten by his son Max, who was debuting in a McLaren MP4-12C GT3.
Brown added: “My son is faster than me now, so I don’t know whether to be proud or grumpy about that. It’s good fun, it’s a great circuit and great to see so many people out.”
Star Car: Spiers prepares for Peterson anniversary
Ex-Peterson March will return to Monza to mark 50th anniversary of F1 victory there
Photo by: Gary Hawkins
One of the oldest but most prestigious cars in the two races for Masters Racing Legends F1 Cars was the ex-Ronnie Peterson March 761, driven and owned by John Spiers. Peterson, a boyhood hero of Spiers, drove the car to victory in the 1976 Italian Grand Prix, which also marked the final win for March in F1.
Having acquired it in 2025, Spiers debuted the car at the Masters Historic Festival the same season, and admitted that a year later: “It’s going well – I feel a lot more comfortable with it now.”
Spiers stated the car would be taken to Monza later in the season, which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of Peterson’s win, while at Brands Hatch it was catching the attention of ex-grand prix drivers. “Stefan Johansson came over and said, ‘It’s such a great car,’” added Spiers.
Against more modern machinery, Spiers came home with two ninth-place finishes, having missed out on a class win in the latter due to a small engine problem.
“I don’t feel my own performance was great to be honest,” he said. “I’ve driven quite a few different cars this weekend and I’m not sure I found the limit with it. I’m prepared to throw it around a bit more, but obviously not as much as Ronnie would have!”
Best racing: HGPCA
Child’s Brabham had entertaining scrap with Friedrichs’ Cooper
Photo by: Gary Hawkins
The best racing action was produced by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association series, as an eclectic field of front- and rear-engined Formula 1 machinery from the 1950s and 1960s tackled the GP layout.
Tim Child’s Brabham BT3/4 led 30 other cars from pole for the opening 25-minute contest but lost the lead into Paddock Hill Bend to fellow front-row starter Rudi Friedrichs.
As the pair gradually pulled away from the chasing pack, the decisive move came with just 10 minutes remaining, as Child got a run into Paddock Hill to take the lead and subsequent victory by just one second. “At the rolling start I thought I was going to be in the right gear but Rudi just pulled away,” said Child.
Child had an easier time in the sequel, as he held the advantage from pole this time, while a late mechanical problem for Friedrichs’ Cooper T53 meant he coasted across the line more than 18s adrift in second.
Justin Maeers (T53) and Michael Gans (Cooper T79) shared the final step of the podium, Maeers securing his third place in race one after Peter Horsman’s Lotus ended up in the gravel at Clark Curve following a race-long battle.
Double Donington Park winner Tom Waterfield retired his Cooper T53 after just six laps in the opener due to engine problems, with a T43 delivered overnight from Lymington allowing him to finish 11th after starting last in the sequel.
Star performer: James Littlejohn
Littlejohn impressed on first outing in Cobra
Photo by: Gary Hawkins
Former British GT driver James Littlejohn was competing in his first race for more than a year during the event, and shared a 1965 Shelby Cobra Daytona with Jeremy Cottingham in the 60-minute Masters Gentlemen Drivers & Pre-66 Touring Cars contest.
Despite only driving the car for the first time in qualifying, Littlejohn was quickly up to speed, stating “it felt really good”. After receiving the car in fifth, he put in blistering times to pass Charlie Martin’s fellow Cobra and Michael Lyons’ Lotus Elan before the chequered flag, having cut a gap that stood at nearly 30s at one point.
Spiers and Greensall won the race outright
Photo by: Gary Hawkins
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– The Autosport.com Team
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