1/43 Model Review: 2009 McLaren MP4/24 Mercedes

Background

With the new 2009 rules and very different looking cars to the rest of the decade, McLaren and Ferrari were caught out having thrown lots of development into their 2008 contenders whilst fighting for the championships. Both teams could do little better than race in the midfield for the first half of the season. By the mid-point of the season, the team had only scored 13 points. But rapid development saw the MP4/24 gain in competitiveness and Hamilton won convincingly at Hungary. He won again from pole at Singapore and a pair of podium finishes at the end of the year saw McLaren finish the year in third place, just one point ahead of rivals Ferrari.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530094301

As usual, the McLaren cars are released as part of the McLaren collection. I also bought myself the Mercedes boxed edition as well, but it's the same car. There is also a McLaren team edition as well, and again, you receive the same car.

Minichamps B66960038

Minichamps continue to create a nice finish on the chrome texture and apply it onto an accurate shape. I like how they have gone for the mid-season version with a part of the floor cut out. The car has some nice details too, like the wheel rim cover.
Score: 8/10

Where are they now?

McLaren have yet to win a championship since 2008. They competed near the front up until 2012, but have fallen back, and have competed at the rear of the grid for the last few seasons. A works deal with Honda led to an expensive fall out, and McLaren are looking to rebuild their reputation once more.

Lewis Hamilton left McLaren at the end of 2012, not being convinced he could add to his tally of Championships, and boy did he get it right. A move to Mercedes has added four World titles to date and is looking to compete for his sixth World Championship title in 2019.

Heikki Kovalainen's reputation was simply destroyed in the two seasons he had next to Hamilton and only competed at the back of the grid for the next few seasons. He still competes in Super GT, having won the Championship in 2016.