1/43 Model Review: 2001 World Champion Michael Schumacher (Ferrari F2001)

Background

The Ferrari F2001 was a brand new car that bore little resemblance to its predecessors and improved the aerodynamics and tyre management greatly. It was not matched by its rivals McLaren or Williams, and Schumacher sailed to his fourth Drivers' Crown and a double Championship with Ferrari with 9 victories over the season.

After the tragic events in New York in 9/11, Ferrari ran with no sponsors and a black nose as a mark of respect for the victims.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 50213

With Schumacher winning championship after championship one after another, these reviews are going to sound pretty samey with Hot Wheels mass producing these models of his championship cars to a reasonable, but not particularly inspiring standards. The F2001 was a nice car, with its low dropping nose compared to the very high nose equivalents from the previous few seasons. The sidepods are also longer than its predecessor.

Hot Wheels 55602

The car is released in the standard Hot Wheels box and also comes in a two car Constructors' hampionship set. It comes with Schumacher having both fists raised in victory, of which he achieved 9 times.

Hot Wheels B7022

This Belgian GP version is part of the 3 car set spanning the first three of Schumacher's Championships with Ferrari. It has the same figure with both fists raised, but has less rear wing elements on the low downforce track at Spa.
Score: 6/10

Mattel Elite

Mattel Elite V8374

This model is based on the Hungary GP. Again, this shape is the same as the Ixo shape. The nose on this car is a bit more bulbous, the winglet in front of the rear wheels is not as well defined and the exhaust area is quite different too. On top of that, the wings on the Hot Wheels car are better, as are the wheel rims. The model is similar in quality to the Hot Wheels, and it has better suspension, cockpit detail and carbon textures, but overall, I prefer the Hot Wheels version.
Score: 5/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

One of the early Formula 1 Car Collection editions was this Italian GP version of the Ferrari with no sponsors and a black nose. I wasn't too keen on buying a conversion, so I got myself this one. After 9/11, many of the cars ran tributes, particularly at the US GP, but Ferrari made the largest change at their home race. It was nice to tick the box for my model collection, but it didn't stay in my collection for long.
Score: 5/10

BBR

BBR BG227

This model is based on the Malaysian GP. The BBR car is another good model from this Italian manufacturer. I've found BBR to be a bit hit and miss sometimes, but for me this model is definitely a hit.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK298

This Tameo car is based on the Monaco GP. It is another masterpiece by Tameo. Again, I think the quality of the Tameo models exceeds an already very nice BBR version, but it's just that bit more refinement in the detail which makes the difference for me, the slightly sharper contours, the quality of the build, the detail on the smaller finer parts are all parts where this is marginally better than the BBR model in my opinion.
Score: 10/10