1/43 Model Review: 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari F2007)

Background

Following Schumacher's first retirement, Raikkonen was signed as his replacement and won at the opening race in Australia. The two Ferraris and the two McLarens would battle intensely for both titles, with McLaren and their drivers holding the upper hand as the season developed. Ferrari and Raikkonen seemed out of the title race, but at China, Hamilton's McLaren had worn his tyres out and slid off into the gravel when entering the pit-lane, and Raikkonen took his fifth victory, reigniting his title campaign leading into the final race, though still 7 points adrift. It was Ferrari's 200th victory and 600th podium, which this model commemorates. In Brazil, Massa dominated the weekend, though out of contention for the title, whilst Hamilton was battling a number of issues on the way to seventh place and Alonso was powerless against the Ferraris in third. Massa let Raikkonen through to win the race and the Drivers' Championship by a point from both Alonso and Hamilton.

Interestingly, Massa revealed in the F1 podcast that it was at the Belgian GP where it was decided that the driver ahead at the end of that race would be the backed driver for the Championship. Coming to the prior race at Monza, it was the Brazilian who had the advantage but for reliability to strike and Kimi took a podium and the initiative for the remainder of the season.

Hot Wheels

The Hot Wheels car is presumably based on the race opening Australian GP, with the Marlboro red and the straight engine cover trailing edge. Hot Wheels continue with their generally good proportions, mixed with bulky appendages, but even the bargeboards are getting more detail, as is the front suspension and sidepod winglets. The helmet is a let down, but oeverall, not a bad little model. 

Score: 6/10

Mattel Elite

The Mattel Elite car is based on the Chinese GP, where Kimi earned his 5th victory of the season, the 200th Ferrari win, the 600th podium, the penultimate race of the season. From the Monaco GP, the F2007 ran in a darker metallic red, which I personally loved. The car features more refined details than the Hot Wheels car, though the exhaust looks clumsy. With the wheel covers front and rear masking any difficiencies, this turns out to be quite a nice model. The cockpit has a nice steering wheel too. 

Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection / Ixo 

As usual, the model is the Mattel Elite car, but this is dubbed as the Australian GP, even though the shape is clearly based on the end of the season (for a start, the rounded fin on the engine cover). The front rims are terrible, and you don't get a nice sticker for the steering wheels. For the lack of attention to detail, I have to award this a lower score than the Hot Wheels car. 

Score: 5/10

Redline

Redline RL140

Redline have produced a number of quality models, starting with Australian GP version. Good attention to detail on the track specific parts, the bright red colour scheme, no front wheel rim covers and the straight engine cover. Nice holes in the rear wing endplates, lovely bargeboards, good mirrors, very nice details, a great model.

Redline KBR002

We also get two late season versions, firstly the Japanese GP version above.

Redline RL148

And the Championship winning car from the Brazilian GP. Again you get lovely details on this model, along with good proportions throughout, including a nicely modelled nose cone.
Score: 8/10

Looksmart

Looksmart LSF-ES1707

There are a limited number of Looksmart versions around, but I believe it's the same as the Redline model but with a driver figure, this one from the Chinese GP as a special limited edition run of 200. It's a shame that the helmet looks little better than the Hot Wheels attempt, but don't let that take away from the rest of this beautiful model.
Score: 8/10

BBR

BBR BG311

This is the BBR model based on the Australian GP. The BBR car looks too long and low, which is a shame, because as usual, BBR do put some nice detail into their cars. But it's the poor proportions that let this down for me, even though the contours all look pretty accurate.
Score: 6/10

BBR BG344

BBR produced a mid-season version based on the British GP. The colour looks fantastic on this factory built model, and so does some of the details on the bargeboards, the cockpit and the exhaust area. I think the nose is a little too long for my liking, but overall, the proportions are much improved from the early season model.

BBR EX26

And we get a late season version based on the Chinese GP. Ignoring the slightly elongated nose in my opinion, this has slightly finer details than the Redline car and so I think I marginally prefer this one.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TB010

Tameo have similarly done a selection of F2007s from the season, overlapping with other manufacturers, this model being the Australian GP car.

Tameo TMK367

And here is one from the Spanish GP, though this is Felipe's car.

Tameo TB015

The Chinese GP Version has full tobacco sponsorship rather than the barcodes,

Tameo TB011

Whoever made this Brazilian GP model obviously forgot to put the Shell V-Power decal on the rear wing endplate, but this is a beautiful recreation of Kimi's Championship winning car. It should have been Massa's race to win, but he let Kimi win and thus clinch the Championship by a point, and amazingly Ferrari's last champion. Tameo continue to set the standard for 1/43 scale F1 models.
Score: 10/10