RE: PH in Dubai - Ferrari vs McLaren

[scarble]

Another cracking article, reading through I was imagining myself in the cockpit of the Ferrari, feeling it shimmy under braking, the back end struggling to brake free at the apex.. I never used to be a Ferrari fan but I think I'm slowly getting it, the 430/458 race cars are divine and they've really stretched to keep N/A relevant in a sector (or sectors) where raw power carries so much weight.
I would do naughty things with that 458.

Ok there are some little errors, sure it's important to get the details right, that should be a pretty high priority for journalists, we rely on them for facts, though the position of the paddles isn't a serious concern for me, as I'll never drive either, but innocent journalistic errors, on an article which ultimately doesn't matter* and where there is positive reader/customer engagement, there's no need to be mean about it, or to be mean back.

(*if it was about e.g. immigration, the efficacy of a new drug, how much of our tax is spent on something or other, I'd be more concerned by factual errors)

Edited by scarble on Monday 24th November 20:44

[threespires]

I'm with the proof read camp. PH is in the business of journalism and should aspire to deliver its product correctly.

[chelme]

'Close call but it's Italy's day this time round'. I think its fair to say its Italy's half decade. All versions of the McLaren 12C have fallen short of the 458, including the ugly 650S.

[bubney72]

chelme said:

'Close call but it's Italy's day this time round'. I think its fair to say its Italy's half decade. All versions of the McLaren 12C have fallen short of the 458, including the ugly 650S.

+1
It would seem La Ferrari has caned the P1 in Car magazine back to back too.

[LotusEspritTurbo]

xRIEx said:

"that's get posted"

I have a proof reader myself, but unfortunately they have dyslexia.

Any way bks to speelinng. Lets read a good article!

[articulatedj]

I would have enjoyed the review more if one of the photos hadn't been clocked a bit to the left. Totally unprofessional.

[IanUAE]

Leon does have some nice toys in his garage at the Dubai autodrome.

[fuchsiasteve]

Ferrari sounded amazing! Pity he had to drive it round that circuit though. Not many memorable corners!

[Asterix]

Dale, now that you've done a few laps on the full track, what's your view on the circuit?

I prefer it to Yas, which is the obvious comparison in this part of the world (I haven't driven Bahrain), as I find it a bit more technical.

[Vacationboy]

bubney72 said:

chelme said:

'Close call but it's Italy's day this time round'. I think its fair to say its Italy's half decade. All versions of the McLaren 12C have fallen short of the 458, including the ugly 650S.

+1
It would seem La Ferrari has caned the P1 in Car magazine back to back too.

totally agree, La Ferrari is a masterpiece. V12 NA > turbocharged V8 all the way.

[Europa1]

bubney72 said:

chelme said:

'Close call but it's Italy's day this time round'. I think its fair to say its Italy's half decade. All versions of the McLaren 12C have fallen short of the 458, including the ugly 650S.

+1
It would seem La Ferrari has caned the P1 in Car magazine back to back too.

I'll need to re-read the article. I didn't read it as a "caning".

[Dale Lomas]

legaleagleboy said:

Dale, really nice article and you gave a huge insight on the comparative driving experience. Go Pro quality was fab as well.

Think you need longer in the car(s) though ......... I propose an extended test drive in the Dubai 24hr race, same cars same track on 9/10th Jan !! ..... get your flight booked.

What a perfectly marvellous idea! Not sure my budget runs to a GT3 drive though... as suggested, I will just try and keep my name out there, just in case...

@Asterisx - I found Dubai circuit to be a really nice experience. Much more elevation than I expected and some genuinely challenging corners and complexes. Not artificial at all. Personally I'm not a huge fan of many of our 'airfield' circuits. My favourites will forever be the Nordschleife, followed by Cadwell/Spa/Barber/Zolder(the back bit). But variety is the spice of life

Edited by Dale Lomas on Tuesday 25th November 19:37

[speedjockey]

Europa1 said:

bubney72 said:

chelme said:

'Close call but it's Italy's day this time round'. I think its fair to say its Italy's half decade. All versions of the McLaren 12C have fallen short of the 458, including the ugly 650S.

+1
It would seem La Ferrari has caned the P1 in Car magazine back to back too.

I'll need to re-read the article. I didn't read it as a "caning".

It would seem Top Gear Mag (the only other people to have driven all of the big 3 at the same time, at least that I know of) have come to the same consensus.

[pagani1]

I wouldn't want to pay the expenses of going racing in these two, (could they be disclosed in a follow up article? ) but would love to hear them at the trackside. Ferrari seems to be on a roll v McLaren at the moment, so come on Woking fling the kitchen sink at it. Personally IMHO McLaren need to have a better label for their cars and really need to improve the styling compared to the italian rivals, there is no sense of beauty in their cars and perhaps Audi is their natural competitor (R8). Ferrari looks like a premium product and McLaren need to try harder on the styling and the reliability upped from the early cars. I am looking forward to seeing all of the GT3 cars from the usual suspects and hoping they will all race next season.