Formula 1 came to Melbourne again last week, and we’re already missing the action of the world’s premier motorsport so close to home.
The F1 train is fully in motion for 2025 though, as the Chinese Grand Prix is taking place this weekend and the Japanese Grand Prix will be held in a fortnight – all at friendly times for Aussies to watch live.
Because we’re all riding the hype of what should be a thrilling season, we’ve dreamt up a scenario that would allow us to enjoy driving the cars of F1 without having to worry about how much they cost.
We asked the CarExpert team which street-legal road car built by an F1 brand they would buy given the opportunity. There was no budget, and respondents were allowed to pick any car produced by a car company involved with F1 in a significant way.
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Alpine A110 -
Ferrari SF90 XX -
McLaren Artura -
Mercedes-AMG CLE53
That means Toyota Gazoo Racing isn’t eligible, given that it’s only currently involved in F1 through a minor technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team and doesn’t build chassis or engines.
We’ve also limited the options to cars from brands competing in 2025, as loads of brands like Audi, Cadillac, and Ford are due to enter in 2026.
With that in mind, the eligible brands are as follows:
- Alpine
- Aston Martin
- Ferrari
- McLaren
- Mercedes-AMG
- Honda (engine supplier)
- Renault (engine supplier)
Let us know what you’d go for in the comments below.
Marton Pettendy: Ferrari 12Cilindri
When it comes to supercars from auto brands in F1, it’s pretty hard to go past Ferrari and its newest model, the 12Cilindri.
The ballistic Mercedes-AMG One hypercar is all spoken for and needs an engine rebuild every 50,000km, while Aston Martin’s equally wild plug-in hybrid Valhalla and Cosworth V12-powered Valkyrie are also both limited-edition unobtainiums.
And neither the brilliant new Mercedes-AMG GT, the sublime new Aston Martin Vanquish nor the highly underrated McLaren 750S and 765LT offer the X-factor of any Ferrari except perhaps the Purosangue SUV.
It may not be mid-engined like the SF90 PHEV, but I love the semi-retro look of the 12Cilindri, which packs a big-bore, naturally aspirated V12 that revs to 9500rpm and sends over 600kW to the rear wheels, propelling the two-seat Italian supercar to 100km/h in less than three seconds.
Besides, Ferrari has notched up more F1 GP wins, starts and entries than any other carmaker since 1950, making it the most successful and longest surviving brand in F1.
Interested in buying a Ferrari 12Cilindri? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ferrari 12Cilindri
Sean Lander: Aston Martin Vanquish
This is a hard one for me, because my road car loves and my race team loves are fields apart.
For starters, even though it costs US$714,000, I couldn’t pick the Haas VS-3-5AX Extra Large Vertical mill, even though its motor spins up to 20,000rpm.
I also can’t in good conscience pick a McLaren, because even though they are my F1 team, the road cars don’t really set my world on fire. Ferrari or Mercedes? Sure they make cool cars but I don’t care for them. But Aston Martin… that is a conundrum.
I loathe the team, the team owners, and one of the drivers. I do find Mike Krack rather amusing though.
But their road cars… man their road cars are the stuff that 10-year-old Sean’s bedroom walls were made of. The Valhalla is a thing of beauty.
The Valkyrie is engineering (and British reliability) at its finest. But for my fake money, I’ll be driving home in a Vanquish, finished in 1959 Racing Green. With a twin-turbo V12, 1000Nm of torque and looks that Bond would envy, I’d be pretty happy heading off to any Grand Prix.
Interested in buying an Aston Martin Vanquish? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Aston Martin Vanquish
William Stopford: Any Aston Martin
Honestly, if I had money – and I mean money – I wouldn’t be heading to a Ferrari or McLaren showroom. I’d be heading to an Aston Martin one instead.
I’d argue today’s Astons aren’t as gorgeous as what I would consider to be Peak Aston – the late 2000s and early 2010s, which brought us achingly beautiful cars like the DB9, DBS, and even the Rapide.
Still, they have the sheer elegance you won’t find in some other high-end brands – unless you were looking at, say, a Ferrari Roma.
Of course, high-end sports cars are about more than just looks, and Aston Martin delivers when it comes to its vehicles’ dynamics.
I’m genuinely undecided which Aston I’d get – do I go a classic cruiser like a twin-turbo V8 DB12 Volante, or more of a bruiser with the V12-powered Vanquish?
Wait, in this hypothetical, don’t I have money? Maybe I’ll take them all, even throw in a DBX for picking up the groceries.
Interested in buying an Aston Martin? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Aston Martin
Jordan Mulach: Mercedes-AMG GT
This is one tricky question, given that there are no real bounds on vehicle type, rather what the ultimate aim for the car is.
If we’re talking outright speed, the AMG One is the undeniable champion, especially given its links to Mercedes’ F1 team aren’t tenuous.
Then there’s the Ferrari SF90, which remains true to the brand’s lineage of mid-engine supercars.
How I wish Porsche and Red Bull were able to get their deal across the line, because I’d be straight into a GT3 RS.
However, for pure all-round ability, it’s hard to go past the AMG GT. It certainly helps that a thundering V8 is under the bonnet, and you’ve got room for additional (albeit small) rear-seat occupants.
Honourable mentions include the Honda Civic Type R, which is arguably the greatest hot hatch on sale, as well as the Aston Martin Valkyrie, complete with its Cosworth V12 engine.
Interested in buying a Mercedes-AMG GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG GT
James Wong: Aston Martin Vanquish
While I grew up favouring the McLaren Formula 1 team because of the iconic McLaren F1 supercar, the latest Aston Martin Vanquish would be my pick.
Firstly, it’s just gorgeous – and I’ve been lucky enough to actually drive one. Secondly, Astons have a bit more of an old-money, understated vibe that Ferraris and new McLarens don’t quite have.
With its 614kW/1000Nm twin-turbo V12, the new Vanquish has plenty of grunt to match its brassy soundtrack, while boasting a top speed that can cross the continent as quickly as you can say Lawrence S. Stroll.
Sadly the Aston Martin F1 team isn’t having as much success as the road car division, but I’d happily roll into their pit garage in my Vanquish donning the Aston Martin Racing Green track attire.
Interested in buying an Aston Martin Vanquish? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Aston Martin Vanquish
Jack Quick: Ferrari 12Cilindri
I’ll be the first to admit that supercars aren’t really my thing, but if I’m rocking up in a supercar, I’m doing it my way and going all out.
With this in mind, I can’t really look past the Ferrari 12Cilindri. Silly name aside, this supercar speaks to me, unlike many other supercars from rival brands. This is likely due to the fact it still has a screaming V12 engine. Better yet, it’s capable of revving out to 9500rpm, and sending the car from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds.
I’m also a fan of the retro-leaning exterior styling of the 12Cilindri. There are little bits of the 1960s, 1970s and even 1980s throughout, and they create a stunning contrast to the ultra-modern elements.
If I had to pick, I’d opt for a bright, or even white, exterior paint colour to highlight the black accents. Then inside, I’d love a bit of red for some pop.
The real question, however, is do I want the regular coupe or the Spider?
Interested in buying a Ferrari 12Cilindri? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Ferrari 12Cilindri
Josh Nevett: Mercedes-AMG GT
It seems appropriate that I pick the only high-end sports car I’ve actually driven – the Mercedes-AMG GT.
While I’ve been lusting after an Aston Martin Vantage for quite some time, the AMG GT Coupe ticks a lot of the same boxes – it’s breathtaking to behold, bonkers quick, and makes the same lovely V8 noises.
The second-generation GT Coupe is also a far more practical proposition than its predecessor, with a capacious boot, and seating for four. In other words, it’s an exotic sports car that you can use every day, in the same vein as the Porsche 911.
Pricing starts from $370,000, but if we’re playing in supercar territory it’s worth spending up on options to configure yourself an example that’s truly special. That can be anything from a classy silver over red Gullwing homage, to a bright and bespoke build that’ll steal stares around town.
Regardless of specification, you’re guaranteed to have a good time owning one of these.
Interested in buying a Mercedes-AMG GT? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG GT
Max Davies: McLaren 750S
While I’ve never been fortunate enough to sit behind the wheel of one, I’ve always taken a liking to McLarens.
McLaren was, at one point, my pick of Formula 1 teams too, purely because Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button were the driver pairing during those tumultuous years of 2015 and 2016. These days, McLaren has fallen down the order for me somewhat, but I still find its model range something to behold.
I remember watching Top Gear test the McLaren P1 when it launched and marvelling at how awesome that particular car was. You also can’t look past the McLaren F1 that came before it.
And so in light of awesome-looking McLarens that have the chops to back up their pretty faces, I’d go for the 750S. Its lightweight frame and advanced twin-turbo V8 give it one of the segment’s best power-to-weight ratios, and it’s supposedly excellent for both track days and the odd weekend cruise thanks to its dynamic suspension range.
There’s loads more to it than that, but instead of getting into the weeds, I’d prefer to just sit back and look at it. Its front-end is especially stunning and ties together its low, sleek look from every angle.
I have three points though: one, I’d have the coupe over the convertible; two, I don’t love the interior; and three, I seem to have misplaced my wallet.
Interested in buying a McLaren 750S? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything McLaren 750S
