1/43 Model Review: 1999 BAR 001 Supertec

Background

The team initially intended to field their cars in different liveries to promote their two brands. The FIA banned this concept, so they ended up with the famous zip design, with one car on one side and the other livery on the other side.

It was the debut year for the British American Racing Team where they arrogantly promised to win a Grand Prix during their first year (which of course they did not). They also benefited from a partnership with Reynard Motorsports who built their cars. But Jacques Villeneuve failed to get to the end of a Grand Prix until Belgium in August. They finished the season with no points, despite some good drives from Villeneuve in particular.

Zonta was in his first season in Formula 1 in the second seat, but an injury led to him being sidelined for three races. Mika Salo, who had impressed in previous years but failed to land a drive in 1999, deputised and duly gave the team their best result of the year, a 7th place just outside the points. This would not be the last time we see Mika Salo in 1999.

At that year's Belgian Grand Prix weekend, both Zonta and Villeneuve had massive accidents at Eau Rouge during qualifying but both drivers competed in the race.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990120

The car ran with a testing livery before it launched its two car livery concept and I personally quite liked this livery. Again it was good of Minichamps to give us this edition.

Minichamps 430990022

The eventual livery that ran the season was a mess. Anyway, model itself is pretty reasonable, with the awful livery nicely reproduced and it even has the different colour rims on each side of the car. Another solid effort from Minichamps.
Score 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK284

This Tameo version is based on the Monaco GP. The car shape is better defined and has much more detail than the Minichamps car. I also think the decals are better than what you get on the Minichamps version too.
One thing I never noticed before was the diffuser sidewalls are painted in silver, so I had to look back at images and sure enough it was silver.
Score 9/10