EXCLUSIVE: GMA T.50 finally meets McLaren F1 | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat
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Published 2024-05-21
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Differences, similarities, the journey to building an icon and a successor - everything is discussed in this in-depth review of the McLaren F1 and GMA T.50. It begins with a comparison of the engines, as they really are the heart of each car - the star turns. Both are naturally aspirated V12s and both sound incredible, but they are also quite distinct in character. Can Cosworth’s smaller, less torquey engine really live up to the legendary S70/2 created by Paul Rosche at BMW M? There are 12,400 reasons why it might…
We also look at the differences in design and how the luggage storage has changed from the F1 and why there is what looks like a big panel gap in the roof of the T.50. One of the big improvements that was inevitable but also required for the newer car was the fitment of better lights, so we thought we should drive the T.50 at night to prove they work. And it turns out the illumination is spectacular… at both ends of the car.
Perhaps the biggest GMA T.50 surprise, however, comes with the way its spine-tingling engine combines with the chassis. The F1 is not perfect in this regard because it is quite softly suspended and the steering requires a certain amount of muscle. It sometimes doesn’t feel light, even though it is. The T.50 on the other hand feels as lithe and responsive as you would expect for something that has a dry weight of just 997kg. And even better, it can be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and driven hard. It is genuinely fun as well as impressive.
McLaren F1, Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, Pagani Zonda, Ferrari F50, Porsche Carrera GT - which analogue supercar would you have? Let us know in the comments down below. We really hope you enjoy this epic film - if you do, then all we ask is that you give it a like, make sure you’re subscribed to the Hagerty YouTube channel, share it with your friends and perhaps check out some of the other films from the back catalogue. Thank you.
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All Comments (21)
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I still can't quite believe this happened! Really hope you all enjoy it. Thank you to everyone involved in pulling it together. As ever a like, share or subscribe would be greatly appreciated if you have a moment.
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It was a pleasure to have you experience the T.50 Henry. You absolutely smashed it! :popcorn-yellow-striped-smile:
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Thank you. Not just for bringing these two legends together, but for ensuring it was Henry Catchpole to do it. I know Top Gear have reviewed the T.50, as have others. But a direct comparison with the F1 is a moment of motoring history that, in my opinion, only Henry has the gravitas as well as the joy, to convey.
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My son CNCd the accelerator pedal....all the linkage behind it is made of the same billet of titanium and the grip milled on to the surface is a work of art 🎨
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I’ve never clicked so fast in my life
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As someone lucky enough to work on the T50 project, i think the greatest worry was not really being able to deliver a modern interpretation of the F1, as the march of technology gives us enourmous capabilites today that simply didn't exist in the early 1990's, but a worry on how to find a good "balance" between building an amzing drivers car, and strangely, one that could actually be driven! Take the rev capability of the engine for example, it can't run at too low an rpm or the crank snaps in two (which is why the start sequence is so "Long" btw ie the 3 sec mentioned in the film) and the engines ultra-low rotational inertia that enables the use of relatively small gearbox syncro components and hence rapid manual shifts that stay within managable physical limits and enable a high shift quality means a very very careful calibration for the torque control system (throttle and ignition etc) to allow the car to be driveable at all. The fact the car is as driveable as it is, with its "small", compared to F1, capacity engine is testament to an enormous amount of effort and v. long days at GMA & Cosworth ;-)
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For anyone interested, the stunning road is the AL-3102 between Bacares and Velefique in southern Spain, near Almería.
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It fkng baffles my mind that a video like this is on the internet, free for everyone to watch. Thank you, Henry, Hagerty, and most importantly, Gordon.
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Thank you Hagerty Thank you GMA Thank you Henry Thank you Gordon
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Kudos to whoever decided it was finally time to put one of the best in TWO of the best. Hats off to Hagerty, Gordon Murray, and Mr. Catchpole <3
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Henry is, was, and continues to be the best car journalist period. The exquisite cinematography, combined with Henry's detailed monologues is peerless. Cheers!
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Henry has to be one of the greatest. This film would not have been what it is without him, despite the outrageous cars.
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Only a select few auto journalists could showcase and handle this situation properly, and Catchpole is absolutely one of them. This really is the definition of, “exclusive”, like you don’t just get to highlight and drive a McLaren F1 for 30 minutes on the regular, and then compare it side by side with its direct successor (Speedtail be damned). This is a video that will most certainly be a piece of automotive history in years time, and I’m not being hyperbolic about that. Also, it is crazy how the F1’s reign of fastest N/A road car has not been beaten. It is still very much the indisputable king.
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The sound crew deserves a prize for this one !! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you... needed to go re-watch on my home theater to really let this sink in, Thank you!
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Wow wow wow. Henry this is one of the greatest car videos of all time. Felt like i was driving the thing. Fabulous!
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Great job bringing the experience of these iconic cars to light for all of us that will never be able to drive them!
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12,400 RPM of V12 goodness. God bless Cosworth and Gordon Murray.
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I mean what!!!!!!! This got to be a contender for the best automotive video of 2024 no question
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My first job was in that building at Genesis Business Park in 1992. Walking past the hanging F1 car was a thrill. Seeing people like Gordon Murray turn up in the LCC Rocket, or even Peter Stevens in his Fiat 500 was a thrill.
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What an honor to watch this unfold. The look on your face while driving the T50 says it all. Best car ever.
