1/43 Model Review: 1996 Forti FG03 Ford

Background

Forti joined Formula 1 largely due to backing from Pedro Diniz's family, but when Diniz left after the first year and took his sponsorship with him, the team struggled with finances. Already having a particularly uncompetitive car, condemned to the rear of the grid in 1995, the 1996 saw new rules introduced where cars must qualify within 107% of the pole position time. Basically the rule was brought in because the Forti cars were so slow and getting lapped so often during Grand Prix.

The lack of finances meant they ran an upgraded version of their 1995 car, the FG01B, for the first few races. One FG03 was ready for Imola and qualified comfortably within the 107% limit and 0.7s behind the next fastest car. Prior to the Spanish GP, a deal was done to sell the team to Shannon Racing, and the car turned Green, losing the yellow and blue colour that ran in memory of Ayrton Senna. But the money never materialised, the car, though having promising pace, retired with poor reliability, and as debts to Cosworth rose, there were no new engines to run.

At the British GP, they only managed a couple of laps in practice, in Germany, the cars remained unassembled in the garage with no engines. The team decided to bow out of the sport, whilst a court case was in progress over who owned the team. Eventually, Shannon Racing won the case in September, but Forti had already left F1. Both entities folded from any further racing activities.

Onyx

Onyx 288

Sadly only Onyx have produced any Forti models, there's not even one of the 1995 car. Even worse, they didn't even bother creating the shape either, it's a rehashed Tyrrell 024 (see Tyrrell below for comparison)! Fans of Formula 1 from the 90's will inevitably be fans of the underdog teams, and I'm no exception, so I would really love a proper Forti model.

Onyx 290

At least we get both liveries of the Forti. In fact the yellow livery evolved through the year, earning a green stripe when the Shannon Racing was first announced, before donning the green, white and red livery for a couple of races before their demise. Sadly no bright green rims on these cars.

Onyx 276

So to the score, it's a case of is it better to have something that's not great, or to have nothing at all. I gave it a 2, because it could be worse, but there's much to be improved on.
Score: 2/10

To read more reviews from the 1996 season, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/1996-model-review.html