1/43 Model Review: 2011 World Champion: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing RB7 Renault)

Background

Sebastien Vettel in the Adrian Newey designed Red Bull RB7 with exhaust blown diffuser powered him to a dominant second consecutive World Drivers' Championship and Constructors' Title for the team. He scored podium finishes in 17 of the 19 races, winning 11 of them. Mastering the best out of the new Pirelli tyres, he took 15 Pole Positions, led from the start and controlled the race to victory. This is the second of his four consecutive titles to date. 

Minichamps

Minichamps 410110001

The standard model is of your usual Minichamps standard, although it has a slightly ill-fitting engine cover (prevalent on all models). Judging by the helmet, this is based on the Turkish GP, though I can't discernibly see any other difference. I like the tyre shape, with a slight change from the Bridgestones that we have been so accustomed to seeing. There's a nice amount of effort putting the exhaust on the floor of the car.

Minichamps 410110101

The Malaysian GP model, of what I can see, has a different helmet decal in a time when Vettel ran different helmets almost every race, and almost a different helmet for each session. We'd already witnessed a pole to lights victory in Australia, and this was yet another repeat of the same formula in Malaysia.

Minichamps 410110201

This is the Turkish GP version, the fourth race of the year and, you've guessed it, pole position, good start and the inevitable victory extending his lead in the Championship.

Minichamps 410110301

The last of the standard Minichamps models and it's from the end of season Japanese GP where Vettel clinched the Championship with four races to spare. His only mathematical rival, Button in the McLaren, started alongside pole-sitter Vettel, and Jenson managed to win the Grand Prix, with Alonso second, but Vettel only needed one more point to secure the Championship and hence we have a Japanese GP version. The car has updated rear wing endplates, new front rims and the Seven-Eleven logos added.

Minichamps 413110401

There was also a Monaco GP car in a standard tall box, where predictably Vettel had pole and won the race.

Minichamps 413110601

There is another Monaco GP version in an alternative tall box.

Minichamps 413110501

And finally there was a small run of Spanish GP with a standing figure exclusive to some German modelshops.
Score: 7/10

The RB7 is still frequently used as the team's show car, and Verstappen used it in a snow run demonstration, and there were a couple of versions of the model available, the one pictured coming in a large presenation box as part of the Max Verstappen Collection. I love the steel chains around the wet tyres, incredible detail, and the one-off decals on the sidepod look great, advertising the Red Bull owned Austrian GP.

Potamo

Potamo is a new model kit brand to me, but this model is beautifully made. The selection of blue is a bit disappointing and the decals look like they've gone through the wash, a little bit faded. But the shape is fantastic, lovely fine details throughout the car.
Score: 8/10