The team working on the Bloodhound project, which aims to break the land-speed record using a combination of jet and rocket power, has been seeking additional funding for a while.

Recently, they have also been searching for a new driver, a move that appears to be a sensible change in the project’s challenging history. This development struck me as a logical step that should have been taken earlier.

Instead of appealing solely to corporations, the project should have targeted individual egos from the beginning. The current land speed record of 763mph has been unbroken for 26 years, ever since Andy Green achieved supersonic speed with the Thrust SSC.

At the age of 61, Green has been in the driver’s seat for the Bloodhound project since its launch in 2008, and has already tested it at a speed of 628mph. While the initial goal was to reach 1000mph, the current focus is on surpassing the previous record by achieving a speed of 800mph.

Since the establishment of the first land speed record, it has never remained unbeaten for such a long period. The high costs and the already broken sound barrier have raised questions about the relevance of pursuing further speed achievements from a business perspective.

For Bloodhound, the primary aim has always been to promote skills and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The car has been featured in roadshows and educational tours, with volunteer ambassadors visiting schools and colleges to raise awareness about the technology behind high-speed travel. Its objective has not only been to make noise and achieve speed, but also to inspire the development of engineers.

Although the project garnered support from several major companies, it was never enough. Consequently, given the change in societal attitudes towards noise and speed, the educational focus of the Bloodhound project has shifted towards green technology.

If the project materializes, the jet will run on synthetic fuel, and the fuel pump, initially planned to be a detuned Formula 1 engine and later a Jaguar V8, will now be a high-capacity electric motor. Additionally, the rocket’s emissions will consist solely of steam, oxygen, and excitement.