1/43 Model Review: 2005 World Champion: Fernando Alonso (Renault R25)

Background

This was the first of Fernando Alonso's double Drivers' World Championship crowns, and sadly only Championships. After years of domination by Ferrari, it was refreshing to see the reliable and consistent Renaults battling with the quick but fragile McLaren. They also benefitted from the introduction of Michelin tyres, as they took victory in the first four races, one to Fisichella and the others by Alonso. Alonso would gain 7 wins over the season, earning the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships for the team.

Minichamps

Minichamps 400050005

The standard version comes with the usual Minichamps quality, good proportions and an increasing amount of detail and refinement. I'm not a big fan of their helmet shape, and the modelling of the HANS device seems to get in the way of the driver figure sitting in the cockpit properly. The grills at the rear of the sidepod are in 3D to a degree, but I think they could have done with a small black line just to bring them out. The rear wing is nicely done, with Renault's unique integration with the endplate on the main plane.

Minichamps 400050205

Minichamps have done a French GP livery which  is a bit more imaginative than the 'Team Spirit' logos. Minichamps have done a nice job in putting that on the model. 

Minichamps 403050025

There are a couple of special boxes, this being one of them sold in Japan, but all of them featuring the standard model.

Score: 7/10

Minichamps 436050005

The R25 got the World Champions treatment and an update. Sadly the issue with where the driver sat in the cockpit is even worse on this model. Personally, I prefer the original paint and decal job. Because of my disappointment that this re-release is actually worse than the original, I'll have to knock it down a grade.
Score: 6/10

Formula 1 Car Collection / Ixo

First thing I noticed was how high the nose is, or how low the front wing is, either way, the wing supports are way too tall. The bargeboards don't have the finesse as the Minichamps version. The rolloever bar and the sidepods aren't bad, the grills being a little more muted than the Minichamps car. The rear wing is pretty basic. It's not a triumph, but it's not a disaster either.
Score: 6/10

Tameo (SilverLine)

Tameo SLK021

There are a couple of versions by Tameo, the first being from the San Marino GP.

Tameo SLK023

This is the Chinese GP version of the R25. The model is nice, as you expect from Tameo. The nose is perfect along with the front wing, I think it's captured very nicely indeed. There's lovely detailing on the bargeboards and in the cockpit. The rollover bar has nice definition into the thin fin at the trailing edge, and the grills look nice and pronounced. A nice rear wing caps off a fantastic model, I can't find any fault with it.
Score: 10/10