If the physics and engineering say it can be done, then it can be done. Einstein’s definition of madness was repeating an experiment and expecting a different result. This has never been tried before so cannot be mad! 

Andy Fitton, Derby

I hope so. Definitely worth a try as even if it does not achieve the goal an enormous amount of lessons will be learnt. 

Edward Sargent, London

Of course it’s mad, but in a good way. It’s what makes life worth living. Given Thrust SSC was looking to reach 850mph, but that runs were stopped for good reasons at a sound barrier-breaking 763mph, shows how hard this could be. But with the Bloodhound team’s experience they are best placed to try. 

Alastair Miles, Bristol

As a cautious stick in the mud I am grateful for those who prove what human beings are capable of. So I look forward to seeing Bloodhound reach 1,000mph. 

David Andrews, Peterborough

Achieving 1,000mph would be an incredible engineering achievement. Do I think it’s possible? I’m not so sure. 

Allan Wilson, Aberdeenshire

It is the kind of madness that has driven mankind to push the boundaries of science and engineering and helped elevate us from the Stone Age. I hope that they reach 1,000mph. If they do, I shall be proud that it is a triumph of British engineering. 

Andy Brown, Gloucester

If the designers are competent and the driver holds his nerve then it will happen but why they want to do it is beyond me! 

Tom Heath, Fortrose

From a technology point of view it will be an interesting project, but from a practical point of view there will be a high risk to the driver and no future use of the technology, especially on the M25. 

Steve Murray, Maidstone

The money could have been spent more wisely, perhaps on medical engineering. A supersonic NHS that meets all its targets would be fantastic. 

Alan Constable, Paphos, Cyprus

Progress must be curtailed, else the human race will destroy itself! Of course it is madness to do so, because it has not been done before; that’s what engineers do! 

Sandy McKay, Eastriggs, Dumfries and Galloway

Your second question reminds me of the late Wally Herbert’s remark that “those who have to ask the question would not understand the answer”. 

Bob Andrews, Loughborough

It’s not madness to attempt it, but the cost is high if there are problems at such velocities. If achieved, I can’t envisage anybody taking up the challenge to beat it. 

John Reddish, Derby

Sometimes you have to throw the health and safety ‘don’t do it’ rulebook out of the window to challenge the limits. I wish the team the best of luck and I salute their adventure, whatever speed they achieve. 

Jonathan Armishaw, Staffordshire

Yes, the only question is whether it can survive it. Saying that, I have confidence in the huge engineering effort behind the project. It’s great to see such collaboration between so many companies around a common goal of pushing the boundaries, which I hope inspires other projects. 

Al Warne, Australia

I’m pretty sure the team involved would not make this attempt if they did not think they had a good chance of success. Given a sound technological benefit we should always push boundaries although the reality is that there is significant risk.

Andrew Woods, Sarthe, France

I wish them every success. It will be a brilliant engineering achievement. 

Andrew Hayes, Woodcroft, Gloucestershire

Let’s hope so! The profession has invested a lot in Bloodhound as a flagship to attract young people into engineering. Its success will surely attract more of them into Stem careers. Failure, on the other hand, will not help the cause at all. 

Adrian Shore, Derby

Seems to be a vanity project. There are far more meaningful records to be broken that demonstrate what engineering can deliver. 

Andrew Sharratt, Bath

I’d like to wish the team all the best for their attempt, knowing that only if they beat the target will they get the lionisation reserved for this type of success. But even if they don’t, the effort and genuinely innovative work done represents everything that is best about engineering. I stand in awe of their achievement. 

Andrew Gledhill, Oxfordshire

Yes, no doubts about that. The car that will go to South Africa will be the peak of modern technology. If we can’t break the 1,000mph barrier with this car, then we may never break it! 

Rob Ford, Leicester