Back in 2004, GP4 was blessed to have many more modders and there were at least two versions of every car, and plenty of people to make track specific updates. One that was missed was the Monza specific car of the McLarenMP4/19.
This is the car made by Wai who was a leading modeler at the time, and the early season car was painted by Bojan, again another leading painter in the community. McLaren heavily updated their car mid-season, and the B spec version of the car was updated by Wai, and the textures updated by another talented painter Ross Hunter, who I was working with on various things at the time.
One thing I love creating are noses and wings, I don't know why, but they're quite quick for me to do, so with a few hours free one evening, I was able to do a quick update.
So the nose is done from scratch, but I had to keep the same low poly structure, otherwise it would look completely out of place. The wings themselves I could be a little more liberal with the polygon usage, but I ended up keeping it a fairly low poly philosophy.
The wider nose would be adopted permanently for the 2005 car, but it only appeared once in 2004. The tip of the nose is quite round on the top surface, transitioning to a flat surface when the nose cone joins the monocoque. Although it's not immediately obvious, but I have added the hole on the tip of the nose. The front wing supports were quite tricky to get right, as it's angled in many ways, and it took a few attempts to get it right, particularly as there were not a huge amount of photos to go off.
The only thing I have not really had time to get right was the blending of the normals. Wai used to use a technique with low poly normals, where as I would do an extra row of polygons to rectify today. Basically, he would create the nose shape, but he would delete the joining row of polygons, so that you're left with a flat row on the top of the nose, and flat row on the side of the nose. He would calculate the normals and then join the rows without re-calculating the normals. Because my nose adds an additional row to get the curvature (and time) I haven't put that last bit of effort into blend the normals with the monocoque.
The low downforce rear wing was quite straight forward, there were no curves to worry about, so that was quite quick and easy to do.
The car is mapped, but I've not done anything to amend the textures, but you can download the shape on this link:
Jackie Stewart won his first of three World Championships for Matra International, a non-works team ran by Ken Tyrrell. The opening race was won in the MS10 which had already earned three victories in 1968 and won in South Africa in 1969. For the majority of the rest of the year, the MS80 was used. The MS80 ran with the fuel tank to the sides of the driver in sidepods. High mounted wings were banned early in the season due to safety concerns. Stewart won 5 GPs in the MS80, and the Matra is the only car, other than Ferrari, to have won a Championship having not been built in the UK. Jacky Ickx was competitive in the second half of the year in the Brabham, substituting for an injured Jack Brabham, but Stewart's points tally was too much to overcome.
The MS84 was Matra's attempt at 4 Wheel Drive, but Stewart never raced it as it was overweight and difficult to handle.
Spark S7183
I'm aiming to have owned a World Championship car for every Formula 1 Season, but the 1969 car had always been a Quartzo car of the MS80. Spark have released the Matra MS10, albeit the old car used only for the first race of the season, but I wanted to tick that off my wish list.
I was really happy with the model when I received it, it was much more impressive than I expected. Another thing I always wanted a model of was with the early and primitive wings, bolted high over the car, directly onto the suspension.
The cars proportions are nicely recreated, though it isn't the most complex of shapes overall, but it's all the attention to detail that I love about it, from the rivot joints, to the piping along the bottom of the car, it just all makes this a really nice model.
The mirrors are not an after-thought, but carefully modelled with a nice chrome paint. The driver figure is nice, and for a change, I really like the Spark helmet. It's a half helmet with a 3D transparent visor, with Stewart's face under a balaclava nicely modelled.
Another shot into the cockpit shows a nice steering wheel and dashboard, as well as a good windshield and nicely shaped monocoque.
Moving onto the engine and you can see the detail of the pistons are individually made, twisting around metal rods. Then engine is clearly defined and the cylinder covers look great.
The Cosworth DFV engine from another perspective shows some nice modelling. The extra wing supports is a nice touch.
The rear exhaust area is nicely done, with the red cylinder attached at the top. There's nice detail on the main driveshaft and it all looks fantastic to me.
There's care and attention to detail all over this car, with the wing supports showing nice detail.
The 2009RB5 by the tail end of the season was the car to beat, and Red Bull carried on that momentum with the RB6, winning the first of its four championships, with Vettel taking the Drivers' Titles. The car earned 15 pole positions in 19 races with Webber winning 4 races to Vettel's 5 races. The final season of Bridgestone rubber before moving to Pirellis, the season was an exciting title battle, with Webber and Alonso being the favourites going into the final race, but it was Vettel who snatched victory at the final race to clinch the title.
Minichamps have done a few versions of the RB6, with the standard car being based on the early season. Other than removing the nose cameras, I can't see any difference to the rest of the shapes for the late season versions. Anyway, as usual, Minichamps have good paint and decals onto a nicely proportioned shape. One thing that bothers me is the slightly ill fitting engine cover, that doesn't seem to be a one off build issue, but you can see it on all my models. 2010 was the first year for Minichamps to go to the long boxes, thanks to a ban on refueling and thus longer F1 cars were the result.
Minichamps 410100305
Vettel took a pole to lights victory with Webber starting second, initially losing second to Kubica, but when he retired, Webber followed Vettel home to another one-two finish. This car also comes in Suzuka Legend series.
Minichamps 410100205
Vettel took victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix having started behind team-mate Webber, both of whom were on the front row of the grid. There is a standing figure version of this car made exclusively for some German modelshops.
Minichamps 410100105
The Red Bull RB6 propelled Sebastian Vettel to the 2010 title at Abu Dhabi to become the sport’s youngest ever Drivers' World Champion. It was a fine victory, with Seb leading much of the race. His main championship rivals, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber, pitted too early, and found it difficult to make progress up the order. Frustratingly, Alonso and Webber finished in seventh and eighth respectively, after getting caught behind the Renaults of Petrov and Kubica. This allowed Seb to clinch the title by a mere four points, earning his first of four World Championships to date.
Score: 7/10
I've seen a couple of shots of a Tameo RB6, but I think they are customised, so I'm not going to review it here. Other than that, I'm not aware of any other models of the RB6 in this scale.
After the highs of a podium finish for the Toro Rosso team, their first podium since Vettel won the Italian GP in 2008, we now have two choices of STR14's to purchase. Minichamps have released their first 2019 car, and it's the Toro Rosso STR14 Honda. We've already seen the Spark version released a few weeks ago and it offers our first direct comparison for 2019.
Minichamps 417191910
The Minichamps car is a resin model, so the model itself is more expensive, but you get a much more accurate model. The model looks fantastic, the general shape is spot on and there's nice details to go with it. There is no specific GP that's mentioned as to where the car is based.
Minichamps 417190023
The first thing I noticed in difference is the tones of the blue and the red, with the Spark car looking more washed out in colour compared to the Minichamps offering. I've tended to prefer Minichamps on their choice of colour and I would do the same for this model. The decals on the Spark models have in the past been a little inferior to the Minichamps version, but to me, there's very little difference between the two.
Spark S6079
The front wings in terms of shape are very similar. Minichamps have gone for blue end plates on the inside, where as Spark have it correct in that it should be black. Both the noses and the complicated vanes for the support are very similar. The Minichamps car seems to have slightly better definition on the halo fin, but both cars have done the cockpit, sidepod and engine cover areas very well and it's hard to find any difference between the two (as it should be). I do still prefer the Minichamps helmets even though Spark have improved theirs for their most recent cars.
It's not the best angle to compare the complex bargeboard regions, or the diffuser areas, and I haven't seen any close up shots to compare the two properly, but from what I can see, there's no meaningful difference to their approaches, no glaring errors, they both look fantastic.
So in summary, I'd be happy with either model, with the final colour of the Minichamps and the helmet shape edging it for me, but I'd not be disappointed with a Spark model either. Score:8/10
Special Versions
Minichamps 417190626
This is the Monaco GP version, only a very small limited edition run, where the teams ran tributes to Niki Lauda after his passing away.
Minichamps 417191126
Whilst Albon starred in the German GP, it was teammate Kvyat who benefitted with a podium finish in the Toro Rosso.
Lewis Hamilton drove to his first World Championship in only his second season in F1. After an impressive debut season that could have easily seen him win the championship, his new team-mate was Heikki Kovalainen who was not as competitive as Alonso the previous year. Hamilton drove exceedingly well against the competitive the Ferraris. His skill was seen in wet conditions at Monaco, winning despite hitting the wall, and at Silverstone where he won in atrocious conditions. Known for being one of the fastest drivers to ever race in F1, with a particular ability to drive around the deficiencies of a car like no-one else, Hamilton deserved to be champion in 2008. However his season was marred by penalties and mistakes, crashing into the back of Raikkonen in Montreal in the pit-lane, passing Raikkonen too soon after letting him past at Spa, and other team errors meant the championship went down to the last race. Massa needed to win, which he did superbly, but Hamilton needed to finish in 5th place. Going into the last lap he was 6th, but the Toyota of Glock had gambled on staying on slicks when it was raining. The gamble failed, and Hamilton followed Vettel past the German to take the all important 5th place on the last corner of the last lap of 2008. This model has been accurately updated to the Brazilian GP specification and sponsorship and shows Hamilton clenching both fists above his steering wheel. At the time, he became the youngest driver to win a World Championship, but has since been superceded by Vettel. He remains the first black person to win the Championship.
The standard McLaren comes with the early-mid season shape as part of the McLaren collection. 2008 was the final year before aerodynamics were simplied and the McLaren in particular was starting to get very busy in areas, with a growing number of elements on the front wing, bridge wings, growing complexity in the bargeboard areas and sidepod vanes. The early season base car was a little less adventurous and I really like Minichamps model. I love the way they do the chrome and the logos are nicely done.
Minichamps 533084342
For a second year, there is a Fuji special edition, with the green striped grooved tyres and an updated late season shape, the most noticable parts being the nose horns and the sidepod vanes growing longer.
Minichamps 530084332
The World Champion Collection car is essentially the same model as the Fuji car, but the driver figure has both fists raised, and it has intermediate tyres on. There are other editions of this car with the normal driver figure released a few years later as part of the McLaren collection. Overall, I think this is a really nice diecast model. Score: 8/10
The Formula 1 Car Collection released a version of the MP4/23 and compared to the Minichamps car, this is very basic. It's not lacking in shape elements from the early season car, but it just lacks a fair bit of finesse and the silver they chose isn't particularly convincing. Having said that, the proportions are fairly well done and there's nothing majorly missing or wayward, but I'm not rushing to buy one for my collection. Score: 6/10
I can only find the one edition from Tameo, and it's another stunning model, this one based on teh Spanish GP. The chrome is fantastic on this, and so are the wet tyres. The shape is beautifully defined, the detail is amazing for this scale. All the slits are there and it doesn't look forced but just adds to the realism of the model. I can't find anything to complain about on this model, its' superb. Score: 10/10
Having had three outstanding races, all brilliant for different reasons, I was not getting my hopes up on a tight twisty Hungaroring track. But it's produced a fair bit of drama at this track, and the 2019 race served up another cracking race, albeit for different reasons again.
Max Verstappen has been on a roll, patiently producing brilliant races at the beginning of the season whilst running mostly all alone behind the Mercs and Ferraris, but now the Red Bull car is improved, he is able to show his great form at the front of the grid. He's the leading points scorer of the last four races, and he finally secured his maiden pole position.
Lewis Hamilton was looking to bounce back after a poor weekend in Germany, but qualifying wasn't quite his usual excellence. Instead it was Bottas who would lead the Mercedes charge and watching the side-by-side qualifying video, there was nothing to choose between Bottas and Verstappen.
But Lewis looked hungry for a good result, relishing a crack at racing Verstappen in even equipment for the race win. Whilst Bottas should have been in the fight, under pressure from talks of his future being rampant, he choked. What had been a brilliant weekend so far was all thrown away in the first few corners when he locked up into turn 1 and again in turn 2. Hamilton made amazing bold moves around the outside of turn 2 and made it stick, clipping Bottas' front wing in turn 3. That almost shocked Valterri off the track enabling Leclerc to blast by and slightly unkindly swiped more of his front wing off.
Mercedes and Hamilton were the quicker package and they had options on strategy, dummying their first pit stop as Verstappen ran out of tyres, trying to get the Red Bulls to pit early and struggle at the end of their second stint. They kept Lewis out for longer, making sure he had the extra tyre life to make a move at the end of the race. Lewis made one attempt on lap 39 at overtaking and even chanced going around the outside of turn 4, but the move was never really on and he ran wide and waited to try again. The two were going great guns, and soon they were so far ahead, Hamilton had a chance of a free pitstop. A bold move saw Hamilton stop for a second time, having to gain some 21 seconds back and overtake Verstappen before the end of the race, shades of the 1998 race when Schumacher took a three stop strategy to get past both McLarens on a two stop. Hamilton had his work cut out as Verstappen pushed to maintain his advantage. But Verstappens tyres started to run out and Hamilton put in excellent fast laps with no mistakes. By the time Hamilton reached Max, Max was a sitting duck, but Lewis put in a brave move around the outside, both rivals showing respect and giving each other space.
This is the F1 we want to see, titans fighting at the front of the race, pushing flat out, making use of different strategies, playing to the different strengths of their cars. I remember back in Japan 2000 when Hakkinen and Schumacher were leagues ahead of the rest battling for the championship. This was just for the race win, but this was our first taste at these two going wheel to wheel and we can't wait for more, and you can tell both drivers want it too.
The Ferrari's finished so far behind by over a minute to Lewis, both cars pushing on a track that doesn't suit them. Leclerc might have qualified ahead, but he went off again in Q1, damaging the rear of his car. Almost in a mirror of the front battle in the race, Vettel was the one who had a later pitstop and waited as Charles ran out of tyres and the Vettel made his move. Leclerc is faster in qualifying just now, but he seems to be struggling with tyre wear more than Seb, whilst the German seems to be recovering his form.
Another fabulous battle was Kvyat's overtake on team-mate Albon, a fight that went from turn 1 to turn 4, which covers the whole first sector and a bit. This is the kind of wheel-to-wheel action we want in F1, respectful agression, leaving just enough room, no clumsy touching, just hard racing into each turn, duking it out corner after corner. Sadly it didn't ultimately mean anything for the Russian, as Albon had the better strategy, re-overtaking Kvyat and also barging his way past Perez on his way to 10th place.
Conversely, Magnussen in particular was struggling in the Haas. He raced Norris hard but fairly for position, but was powerless to stop the Brit from getting through. But it was his stern defence against Ricciardo that raised eyebrows, and earned him a warning. Not really a deterrent, but his block into turn 1, after Ricciardo had made his intentions clear was way too late in my opinion, and that unpredictable swerving and not leaving a cars width is dangerous. He also slammed the door in the final corner, earning Ricciardo's wrath as they drove side by side on the cool down lap into turn 1.
In the midfield, Kimi had another solid race well into the points, but it was Sainz who is the form driver at the moment, with another excellent drive to fifth. Norris was unlucky to drop some places through a pitstop mishap (which were prevalent during this race), but ultimately Sainz would have finished ahead anyway. McLaren probably deserve to be nearer the front, but after the last few years, they are doing an excellent job cementing their fourth place.
McLaren's highs are adding to Renault's woes. Ricciardo had to start last, whilst the team he left started on pole. Hulkenberg had a public moan saying the team have not moved forward at all from this point last year, in fact they've gone backwards when they should be pushing to close the gap to the top three teams.
At the back, Russell was so close to getting into Q2. In truth it was a bit skewed as Ricciardo and Perez ruined each others laps, but Russell just clicked with the car this weekend when Kubica really didn't. He outraced Stroll and Giovinazzi and is showing signs of his quality, as well as the progress Williams are finally starting to make. Check out Russell's first lap on this onboard highlights:
