1/43 Model Review: 1999 Minardi M01 Ford

Background

Minardi wanted to signify a new era for the team with the new chassis numbering, the M01. Luca Badoer returns to the team, having previously driven for them in 1995, and was joined by Ferrari test driver, Marc Gene in his rookie season.

The car remained near the rear of the grid, frequently battling with the Arrows team. Badoer damaged his wrist at a test session crash and was replaced for one race by Stephane Sarrazin but span out of the race.

At the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Badoer was running in fourth place in his Minardi when his gearbox failed with 13 laps to go and the Italian reduced to tears at the side of his car. But teammate Gene secured sixth place to secure Minardi's first point for four years.

The team equaled Arrows' points haul at the end of the year, but lost out on countback meaning they finished 10th in the Constructors' Championship, one place ahead of the more competitive and better funded debutantes, BAR. I still find it funny that BAR said they could win and didn't score a point when Minardi did!

This car was the first Formula 1 car that Fernando Alonso drove before joining the team in 2001.

Minichamps 

Minichamps 430990021

Minichamps 430990020

 For some reason, Minichamps didn't have the rights for Luca Badoer's name on the cardboard inlay, but they were able to reproduce his helmet with no issues. I wasn't particularly keen on the silver liveries that Minardi went for in 1998 and 1999, I much prefer the yellow black and white of the 1997 car or the yellow on their 2000 car. To the model itself and it's another pretty accurate model from Minichamps, I like how they have added the extra padding on the headrest behind the drivers helmet. Not much to complain about on this car.
Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK283

This is based on Marc Gene's point scoring car at the European GP. I hadn't notice before that they changed the nose on this car mid-season, it was a lot shorter and had the front wing supports angle forwards as it drops to the front wing. Another stunning model from Tameo,
Score 9/10