1/43 Model Review: 1993 World Champion Alain Prost (Williams FW15 Renault)

Background

The Williams was already the dominant team since the middle of 1991, with its perfected active suspension and other driver aids. The FW15, originally intended for the 1992 season, was shelved because the FW14 still dominated the 1992 season. The FW15B was a conversion to 1993 rules for pre-season testing, whilst the FW15C was used during the season. There was an FW15D in testing too, as well as the revolutionary CVT car.

The car continued to dominate F1. Alain Prost was signed, with the French engine connection in the middle of 1992 after a season out of F1 having fell out with Ferrari. Mansell, the 1992 champion, refused to work with Prost again after their time at Ferrari, and left for Indycar. Damon Hill, the test driver, was eventually called up to take up the second seat.

The car dominated the season, with Prost able to use his experience over the young Hill to take 7 wins in early and mid season. Hill took 3 wins in a trot, his first in the sport, towards the end of the season as he got used to the car and bad luck left him, and the team won both titles, Prost winning his fourth Drivers' Title.

This was the last car with driver aids until the early 2000's when traction control was allowed again, and it was Prost's final season in F1. He had signed a two year deal, but after Williams signed Senna for 1994, Prost refused to work with him again, and agreed to leave the team for Senna's arrival. He did flirt with coming back with McLaren after another year out, but it was uncompetitive and the team were going through a rebuilding phase.

Onyx

Onyx 172

The 1993 Onyx cars were another step in improvement from Onyx, with mirrors, new tyres, and slightly more accurate shapes. The sidepod inlet is very angled, whilst the car in real life was more curved. The car is labeled the FW15B, which never raced in 1993, but they raced the C spec version of the car initially designed to be used in 1992.
Score: 5/10

Quartzo

The Quartzo car comes in two editions, one with the driver figure in the car, the other with a standing figure and a podium. The car is the same base as the Onyx car, the one with the standing figures has slightly different mirror mounting points.
Score: 5/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 430930002

Gode 338.002.4

The original Minichamps car comes in the new chequered flag box which has become standard for their models. But Gode also produced a number of German GP versions of their 1993 cars. Whilst Onyx had angled sidepod inlets, the Minichamps have a straight version.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 402929301

The car received a bit of an update when it was included in the two car World Champions set, which has better decals and an updated driver figure.

Minichamps 436930002

When the New World Champions Collection version was released, I was hoping for a new resin model, but instead we have the original car heavily updated. At least the rollover hoop has a 3D hole rather than a sticker. The update is nice, the helmet shape is much better, the colours more vivid, the decals are of better quality.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection / Ixo

I'm personally quite disappointed with Ixo's attempts at the 1992 and 1993 Williams. It's just quite basic from some of the other angles of the car, and doesn't quite capture the essence of the car. In that regard, I'd say that I'd prefer the early Onyx/Quartzo versions over this.
Score: 4/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK167

By far and away the best version of the FW15 is to go for this Tameo car. I don't think its perfect by any means, I've seen better Tameo models. You shouldn't be able to see the steering wheel, that was covered by the top of the monocoque for example. But it's still a very good model.

Score: 8/10