1/43 Model Review: 1999 Sauber C15 Petronas

Background

Jean Alesi was joined by Pedro Diniz for the 1999 season, but the team suffered from poor gearbox reliability and meant that the car rarely finished even though it was fairly competitive. In the end the team scored 5 sixth placed finishes to finish the year in 8th place.

Diniz was lucky to walk away unharmed after being flipped at the European Grand Prix at the first corner, which saw the Sauber's rollover bar fail and leaving the Diniz's head exposed and the car came to a rest upside down, presumably resting on Diniz's helmet. For a moment, the world held their breath and feared the worst.  Thankfully he was OK and the marshalls were able to get him out the car quickly.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990011

The 1999 Sauber was quite a small but long car, certainly compared to its predecessor, and Minichamps have done a good job on this relatively simple shaped car. The Petronas logos on the top of the sidepod are nicely done, as is the chrome front wing supports. I miss the days when Sauber ran different headrest and mirror colours for their drivers as a way to tell them apart, with Alesi running red and Diniz running yellow.
Score: 7/10