The Car Thread.

[Angle Poise-Lamp]

McClaren(sic) is currently the pivotal team but it could change second half of the season, I don't think Ferrari, Mercedes or Red Bull are two far behind.

McLaren is going nowhere except staying on top, they clearly have the best car and two of the best drivers. I stopped watching F1 when it began looking like strategy was more important than the drivers, in determining the results and, when the cars began to sound like overpowered leaf blowers.

Drivers have been saying, for a long time, the racing would be better with less downforce, limiting the maximum g-forces and, wider tyres for more low-speed grip, both measures creating more overtaking opportunities.

 

[DougK1]

I have returned to F1 and I'm starting to enjoy it once again. A lot of British talent, perhaps it's time for whining Hamilton to retire?
Amazing what McClaren has done with the Mercedes engine and odd the Mercedes team, who have the crème de la crème pick of their engines is so behind McClaren, so weird!

Well done Lando, it's going down to the wire. Oscar Piastri has the slight edge, I do hope he doesn't start ramming his team mate off the circuit. It's also great you don't currently see this level of cynicism, good to see the end of Schumacher win at all costs mentality and nice to see some level of comradery and sportsmanship coming back into F1, which was sadly lacking in the past.

Highlights for me was the crazy duel between George Russell and Charles Leclerc, little reckless on the Frenchman's part, glad Russell made it to the podium.

https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/F1-2025-Hungarian-GrandPrix.webp

I've been an avid viewer since the late 70's. Nearly stopped watching after the farcical Verstappen championship win in 2021. You've probably missed the Max "win at all costs" mentality over the years, but he's b*ggered this year as he hasn't got a good car, but doesn't stop him pushing other drivers off the track.

Never forget the Hamilton-Verstappen incident a few years ago at Silverstone where he blamed Lewis for pushing him off the track and ending his race. Strange that the following year Leclerc and Hamilton managed to get around the same corner side by side without issue. The Max and Lewis battle went on for few seasons, in one incident Max's rear wheel ran over Lewis's head, fortunately the Halo cockpit protection system had been introduced. Max is renowned for being a bully on the track, but the drivers aren't scared of him anymore.

There are some great youngsters coming through the ranks. Piastri is an incredible driver, given the right strategy through the race. I'd say he's untouchable and such a cool lad as well, gotta have an Aussie in F1 🙂

McLaren have both trophies in the bag this year. My money is on Oscar to win the drivers championship. As for Lewis, I think he'll retire at the end of the season, he's not having a good time at Ferrari. In his post quali interview at the weekend he actually said that maybe Ferrari need a new driver.

 

[Jasonovich]

I've been an avid viewer since the late 70's. Nearly stopped watching after the farcical Verstappen championship win in 2021. You've probably missed the Max "win at all costs" mentality over the years, but he's b*ggered this year as he hasn't got a good car, but doesn't stop him pushing other drivers off the track.

Never forget the Hamilton-Verstappen incident a few years ago at Silverstone where he blamed Lewis for pushing him off the track and ending his race. Strange that the following year Leclerc and Hamilton managed to get around the same corner side by side without issue. The Max and Lewis battle went on for few seasons, in one incident Max's rear wheel ran over Lewis's head, fortunately the Halo cockpit protection system had been introduced. Max is renowned for being a bully on the track, but the drivers aren't scared of him anymore.

There are some great youngsters coming through the ranks. Piastri is an incredible driver, given the right strategy through the race. I'd say he's untouchable and such a cool lad as well, gotta have an Aussie in F1 🙂

McLaren have both trophies in the bag this year. My money is on Oscar to win the drivers championship. As for Lewis, I think he'll retire at the end of the season, he's not having a good time at Ferrari. In his post quali interview at the weekend he actually said that maybe Ferrari need a new driver.

I go back to Nigel Mansell what a fire cracker!
Thanks Doug for filling me in, hadn't watched F1 for years until recently. I heard on YouTube with a big pinch of salt, that Hamilton allegedly told a reporter that he was leaving Ferrari.

I think he likes to be the big cheese, not so good for his ego now that he has been cast by Ferrari as supporting driver for Leclerc.

 

[plastic penguin]

Happy 60th birthday to the Ford Transit.

Loved by businesses and villain's alike.

 

[Jasonovich]

Happy 60th birthday to the Ford Transit.

Loved by businesses and villain's alike.

Ford Transit - loved by boisterous boys and bank robbers for 50 years | Autocar

We all have memories of the cars that helped to shape our lives; for me, it's Ford's iconic Transit van

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[DougK1]

Not as good as they used to be. My nephew hates his new one, nothing but trouble in the three months he's had it. Ford are actually going to take his back and build him another one.

 

[Dave_]

Not as good as they used to be. My nephew hates his new one, nothing but trouble in the three months he's had it. Ford are actually going to take his back and build him another one.

Our company was in the process of replacing our fleet of Sprinters with Hybrid Transits but halted the rollout after reliability issues and are now taking delivery of a mix of VW Crafters and Iveco Dailys instead.

The VW Transporter community are turning their backs on the T7 because of its Transit roots and instead opting for S2 Crafter's being VW built (as opposed to the S1 which were rebadged Sprinters)