The Goodwood Festival of Speed gives visitors amazing spectacles every year, and 2010 did not disappoint, with two British F1 world champions taking to the wheel of the hottest new Supercar around…

McLaren has released a video of the MP4-12C making its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, available here on Youtube

To honor its unveiling, Antony Sheriff, McLaren Automotive Managing Director, was the first person to drive up the hill on Friday.  Both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were in attendance for the 12C’s ‘dynamic debut’ and as the footage shows they didn’t disappoint, putting on a spirited display on the hill in the new British supercar, as well as chatting to the many fans who gathered to see them and the car. Judging by his comment on the video, we wonder if Jenson and Lewis still haven’t managed to get a concrete commitment out of canny McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis as to when they’re going to get their hands on one of the new machines for keeps. “This one’s mine, hopefully,’ quips Jenson as he slides behind the wheel of the Volcano Orange car prior to a run up the hill – although as McLaren describes the car as a Validation Prototype in its official blurb we’re not so sure.

According to Sheriff, “The visitors to our stand were the perfect blend of car enthusiasts and potential customers; I’m delighted that we chose Goodwood Festival of Speed to unveil the 12C to the public. Two British Formula 1 World Champions were behind the wheel of the car as we led the field up the hill. A major landmark, delivered to McLaren’s high standards.”

As we have previously reported, the MP4-12C features a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 with 447 kW (600 bhp / 608 PS) and 599 Nm (442 lb-ft) of torque. Backed up by a seven-speed “Seamless Shift” dual-clutch transmission, the engine enables the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than 3.8 seconds and hit a top speed in excess of 300 km/h (186 mph).

What do you think of the new McLaren? Leave a comment below and let us know!