GP4: 1999 Arrows A20 by Hega and fongu

Here is the 1999 Arrows A20 as driven by Tora Takagi and Pedro de la Rosa. 

This car is by Hega, with help on the car model by me, logos and reference photos provided by Quickslick, and some objects from Soulbringer's A19 model. 

This car comes with 6 difference shape variants as well as a full season's worth of textures. 

This is the car that appears in the GPedia videos with Mark Hemsworth

In my review of the Minichamps model (https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/2019/06/143-model-review-1999-arrows-a20.html), I dwelt mainly on the negatives. Sure it was slow, yes it was embroiled in a controversy (which by the way, if you don't know anything about t-minus and the so-called Nigerian prince, then I'd suggest you check out the saga https://youtu.be/DQPNfDC0_Vw?feature=shared)

So what about the positives. It scored a point, back in the day when points were only awarded to the six. Admittedly, it was at the first race. 

It was based on the beautiful A19, designed originally by John Barnard and Mike Coughlan, but the former star designed had since left and Coughlan and Eghbal Hamidy were tasked to develop the car with minimal funding. 

It had in-house built engines, kind of. Tom Walkinshaw had injected funds into Brian Hart's engine company, but an ownership dispute ensued and Hart departed from the project. 

Though both drivers were 'pay-drivers', de la Rosa would go on to prove to be a talented racer, and he is also the one responsible for bringing Repsol as a sponsor to the team. This resulted in the first orange Arrows of that short era, the front half of the car decked in Repsol colours. 

As mentioned earlier, with investments from a Nigerian prince, the building blocks for a good little team was brought together. But sadly, with the funds not arriving, the departures of Hart and Barnard, meant the team were underfunded and underpowered. 

Still, despite being such a slow car, it did beat BAR in the Constructors' Championship. 

Around this time, 2 seater cars were kind of a thing, with Arrows building a 2-seateer and also the Arrows AX3 (3-seater car) was based on this A20.

On my side, I really enjoyed working on this car, I think it's quite a nice shape, and the sidepods are quite unique and a different challenge to making other cars. 

I hope you enjoy it. 

Download: 1999 Arrows A20 by Hega & fongu

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GP4: 1999 Jordan 199 by Hega & fongu - RIP Eddie Jordan

Hega writes: Here's our tribute to Eddie Jordan. This was the most successful car in the team's fifteen-year history, scoring two wins, a pole position, and third place in the Constructors' Championship.

Thanks to fongu for the 3D model, and quickslick for logos, testing, and feedback.

10 different shapes + textures for full 1999 season included.

Earlier this year, the world is a poorer place after the sad passing of former team owner and principal, Eddie Jordan.

This is actually the second Jordan car I've been involved in releasing this year, but the 1999 car was where the team almost became legit championship contenders, they never looked so strong (albeit with no Michael and McLaren trying hard not to win). The trajectory was so promising that even Ron Dennis acknowledged it after their Monza victory. From there, the pole position at the Nurburgring was probably the epitome of Jordan GP. This car, to me, represents the hopes of my young Jordan fandom... just a shame it was downhill from the moment that Frentzen forgot a procedure at the pitstop and ground to a halt.

Most of the credit for this car goes to Hega, I played a little part with some shaping help, tweaking and refining what he had done. But I'm priveleged and grateful to be involved in helping make this new car for GP4.

Download: 1999 Jordan 199 by Hega & fongu

v1.1 update April 2026

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1/43 Model Review: 1999 World Champion Mika Hakkinen (McLaren MP4/14 Mercedes)

Background

In 1999, Adrian Newey and the McLaren team produced another competitive car with refined aerodynamics from the previous contender and a powerful Mercedes engine. They had the best car, with the car almost completely overhauled from the almost dominant MP4/13. Whilst the 1998 car was smooth and sleek, the MP4/14 looked more aggressive. However reliablity, and driver errors hampered what should have been an easy championship for them. After Schumacher broke his leg at Silverstone half way through the year, Hakkinen was left fending off Irvine in the Ferrari and Frentzen in the Jordan for the championship. He spun at San Marino, Germany and Italy, where he was filmed weeping behind some trees. But 5 wins, including an impressive win fending off Schumacher in Suzuka, and another 5 podiums would secure the Finn his second Drivers' World Championship, but the Constructors' title would go to Ferrari.

This season for McLaren was a bit of an enigma. Somehow, Schumacher was able to claw his way into the 1998 championship which was decided at the last race, when McLaren should have walked away with it. If there were signs of frailty in reliability in 1998, they were worse in 1999. It wasn't until the fifth round that both McLarens made it to the end. Hakkinen also made errors, crashing out of the lead in San Marino and in Italy. Schumacher would have taken the Championship had he not had a brake failure that lead to his leg injuries keeping him out for most of the season. But McLaren made hard work of it, struggling to see off the threat of Irvine's Ferrari (who was still well off Schumacher's pace) and even Frentzen's Jordan (a midfield car for crying out loud!). Coming into the final race of the season, it was Irvine who was leading the championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530994301

The initial version released was part of the McLaren Collection. The shape is OK, but I don't think it quite captures the car as well as the 1998 MP4/13. To me, it just doesn't quite look as aggressive as the real car and I suppose that's down to the finer details. But the car is still of reasonable quality as you'd expect from Minichamps.

Minichamps 402989901

The car that comes with the MP4/13 two-car set comes with a livery from later in the season, which I personally prefer. The car is the same though.

Minichamps 436990001

For the World Champions Collection version, we get an updated livery and decals, but I have to admit that I prefer the original. If you look at the sidepod in particular, the blending of the silver into the black is too clean for me. I also prefer the red on the nose from the previous model. But the updated driver figure decals are a nice touch.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection / Ixo

This is not a great model in my opinion. The textures are really not good at all. The nose and monocoque section is not too bad, but the sidepod opening is too wide, the airbox way too big, and the upper rear wing element seems huge, or maybe it's just the size of the Mika decal. And on this version, everything seems to be slanted forward, like it's going to fall over nose first.
Score: 5/10

RBA

The RBA car is very similar to the IXO one, but there are enough differences to conclude they are different models. I don't think RBA have done a particularly good job with their other models, but I actually think this one isn't bad at all, and I prefer it over the Ixo car, both in terms of the overall shape and the detail on the decals. It's not Minichamps standard, but it's still not a bad model.
Score: 6/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK276

This Tameo version is based on the Spanish GP. This model is truly stunning, and what I missed from the diecast Minichamps car is all included in this Tameo offering. Once again the details on this car are fantastic. 

Score: 9/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Ferrari F399

Background

Although Ferrari were behind the pace of the McLarens, the team were consistent points scorers. The McLarens suffered from reliability issues and a number of driver errors, giving Ferrari an opportunity to challenge for the World Championship. Schumacher broke his legs after a brake failure at the start of the British GP half way through the season, leaving Irvine to challenge for the Championship. But Irvine complained of lack of support and developments to the car following Schumacher's recovery, who was at times outpaced by Schumacher's replacement, Mika Salo, but when the German returned at the inaugural Malaysian Grand Prix, they scored a one-two. They were disqualified for a barge-board infringement, but the pair were later reinstated with both titles on the line at the final round in Japan. Irvine was four points ahead of Hakkinen, and just needed to finish in front of the Finn, whereas the Finn would need a win to guarentee victory. Schumacher chased Hakkinen home, with Irvine finishing third with a lack of pace giving the Finn his second consecutive Drivers' Championship. However Ferrari were able to clinch their first of six Constructor's Championship in a row, their first since 1983.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 24626

The Hot Wheels car has a good base shape, the front end is very nice, the sidepods are nicely done with the large undercut, Irvine and Schumacher had different helmet shapes, and I like their multi element rear wings. For a basic budget model, this is not that bad.
Score: 7/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

Ixo's car is very similar, but not exactly the same as the Hot Wheels car. The rollover bar is different, as are the exhausts. Ixo were able to get finer detailing on the front and rear end plates and the barge boards and the little flip  up on the sidepod is also more refined. It's nice that the Formula 1 Car Collection version is of Salo, though it would have been nice to have a driver figure and the Belgian GP decals with the F1 logo on it.
Score: 7/10

BBR

BBR Met85

This is the BBR version of the San Marino GP and its factory built, and so I'm left quite disappointed with this model. In terms of the shape and proportions, I much prefer the Ixo and Hot Wheels models. For all the nice details on the suspension, cockpit, exhaust and rollover bar, I can't help to unsee the proportional inaccuracies. There is a Monaco GP version which is similarly plagued with proportion issues.

Score: 6/10

BBR Met99

However there is a Malaysian GP version and I think this is more like it from BBR. The shape of the nose is much more refined and the front wing sits better. They have the controversial changed bargeboard, and lots of vents for cooling on the top of the sidepod. The rear wing is brought further forward making the proportions much better. There is a Make Up Co version of the Japanese GP car which is similar in quality.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK273

Schumacher's Monaco GP winning car from Tameo is absolutely stunnning. The lines are very clean and defined, the cockpit detail is great, and the multi-element rear wing is a thing of beauty. I would have liked to have seen a little bit more detail on the exhaust and the vents on top of the sidepod, but these are all very minor points to what is an excellent model

Score: 10/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Jordan 199 Mugen-Honda

Background

The 1999 season would prove to be the most successful season for Jordan in its 15 year Formula One history. Riding off the high of their first win and 1-2 finish in Spa the previous year, the team would see Frentzen win two Grand Prix and pose a credible threat for the title up to the final few races, finishing third in the Drivers' Championship and third in the Constructors' Championship.

This was also to be 1996 World Champion's Damon Hill's final season in Formula One. Having never got to grips with the grooved tyres introduced in 1998, Damon struggled to match the impressive Frentzen, who himself was looking to prove himself after a difficult couple of years at Williams.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 22811

Hot Wheels produced the Jordan 199 car and it was a pretty reasonable attempt. I'm not a big fan of the yellow that they chose, but the shape is generally not bad, good proportions, nothing sticks out as particularly wrong.
Score: 7/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 402109900

Though Minichamps never released this car as a stand alone nor with a driver figure, we have to settle for the car as part of the twin set with the EJ10 as part of the 10 year anniversary of Jordan series. The shape is very similar to the Hot Wheels, but on closer inspection, this car has a better finish and slightly better detailing.
Score: 7/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

The Ixo car shape is not bad, looking very similar to the Hot Wheels car. This car is based on the Italian GP with the super skinny rear wing and sidepod flip ups. It's a shame that the decals feel a little slap-dash, the front wing support is yellow instead of black, and the rear wing just seems a bit rushed. The winglet just in front of the sidepod is also on the small side. Looking at some of the decal conversions that have been done, it really lifts this model, but the manufacturer applied decals leave a bit to be desired.
Score: 6/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK279

This Tameo model is also based on the race winning car from the Italian Grand Prix. This is another excellent car from Tameo. A great shape, and nice details in the cockpit, the t-cam, the transparent flip on the front wing end plate and a nice skinny rear wing assembly.

Score: 9/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Stewart SF3 Ford

Background

The third Stewart saw a new car design philosophy that appeared to copy much of the successful McLaren's of Adrian Newey. Johnny Herbert was brought in as the second driver alongside Rubens Barrichello. The car was competitive, though fragile in terms of reliability, with the highlight of the year being a first and third place finish at the Nurburgring, with Herbert claiming the teams first and only win in F1.

However it was Barrichello who was usually the more competitive, claiming further podium finishes and a pole position, and could have had more but for reliability issues. The team finished a credible 4th place in the Constructors' Championship.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 24527

Hot Wheels produced the Stewart car. Again I like the treatment of the wings, though it looks quite plasticy in white. The fins just in front of the sidepod lack definition, as does the rollover bar and the sidepod flip up winglet. It's not my favourite Hot Wheels car of the 1999 batch to be honest, but it could be worse, it's not that bad really.
Score: 6/10

Ixo / Formula 1 Car Collection

I am pretty certain this is from the same mould as the Hot Wheels car, so the differences lay primarily in the finish, the wheels and the driver and helmet. Whilst I prefer the Hot wheels tyre and rims, I prefer this clean and smooth looking helmet.
Score: 6/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK282

This is the European GP, with the high exhaust exits that were all the rage in 1999. This is an excellent version of the Stewart, in my opinion one of the nicest cars on the grid that year. It's a shame they reverted to a straightened sidepod opening, as the angled one looked much more aggressive. This was of course the race in which Stewart won their only Grand Prix, albeit Herbert's green number 17 rather than Barrichello's. The model has some great detailing, like the rivet marks on the exhaust, the blue steering wheel, nicely sculpted mirrors and rollover bar, just a masterclass in modelling from Tameo here.

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Williams FW21 Supertec

Background

Popular Italian, Alex Zanardi returned to F1 for the first time since 1994. He had been in America winning the Cart Championship in between his F1 stints, but coming back to the sport with narrow-tracked cars and grooved tyres, the Italian struggled to match the speed of Ralf Schumacher in the sister car. Zanardi would return to America after this season, where he would lose his legs in a horrifying crash. But his determination and mental strength has been shown since, becoming a double paralympic gold medalist and even testing a modified 2006 BMW Sauber F1 car.

Ralf Schumacher was able to extract much more consistent pace out of the car and earned himself three podium finishes including a 2nd placed finish at Monza. It's been said that Frank Williams had always kicked himself for not getting Michael Schumacher in his car and didn't want to miss out on an opportunity of missing out on another superstar, but whilst Ralf was quick, he was not in the same league as Michael.

This would be the final season of Williams running Supertec developed Renault engines with a works deal with BMW looming for 2000.

Hot Wheels (Mattel)

Hot Wheels 24524

Hot Wheels began making some cars for 1999, and overlapped with Minichamps for the Williams FW21, so that direct comparisons can be made. As a basic shape goes, this is not a bad model, it's a bit bulky and lacks details and finesse, but I've seen much worse budget cars. I like the detail of the rear wing and the separated elements on both front and rear wings. The sidepod is a little basic and flat, but overall it's really not bad. Williams had ditched running the yellow trim on their wheel rims, though Minichamps did the same on their showcar, but they are here on the Hot Wheels car.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990005

Onto the Minichamps version and the first thing I noticed was the driver is facing down into the cockpit, not paying any attention to what is ahead of him. But I really like this model, I quite liked the FW21 for being quite a trimmed model, making the FW20 look rather bulky in comparison. The nose is much pointier, the sidepods are small and sculpted, the rollover bar is much sleeker and the rear end is looking quite small, and with no main bargeboards and a shorter wheelbase to other 1999 cars, it really looks good from the outside. I really think Minichamps have done the car justice, and I can accept for now that there is no high-end model of this car available, this model satisfies me at least.

Minichamps 430990098

Williams used the FW21 for various tests through 1999 and 2000. The Michelin test car came had a few variations, but Minichamps have given us this one, with Jorg Muller at the wheel. There was also a nice BMW testing livery as well, but there is only a 2000 showcar rather than the test livery released by Minichamps. Nevertheless, it was nice to get a testing livery.
Score: 7/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Benetton B199 Playlife

Background

The 1999 Benetton tried some new radical technology, a front torque transfer system and twin clutch gearbox, but these proved troublesome. But the car was heavy and the aerodynamics were not as sophisticated as its rivals and the car was disappointing compared to its predecessors. The team managed 16 points, with Fisichella's 2nd place in Canada the highlight of the year. Fisichella was in contention for the win at the crazy European Grand Prix but spun out of the lead. Wurz only scored two points finishes in a disappointing season.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990010

The Benetton is another long 1999 car, only just fitting in the old Minichamps box. The model is the standard Minichamps, with good proportions and simple details. With there being no alternative models of this car in this scale, this is a reasonable car to have in your collection, but it's not a particularly popular model, trading for cheap prices and not many being actually bought/sold.
Score: 7/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Prost AP02 Peugeot

Background

After a disappointing 1998 campaign, the new Prost AP02 Peugeot was more competitive. Trulli managed a podium finish at the European GP, but Panis' season was more disappointing with only two sixth placed finishes, though there were promising qualifying performances, but strategic errors and bad luck hampered good results.

It's perhaps telling that both drivers left the team at the end of the year, looking for a better team more suited to their obvious talents, with Panis taking a test driver role at McLaren and Trulli heading for Jordan.

The car features unique front sidepod design with flaps on the top, however this design never caught on and was dropped on the AP03.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990018

At the time, I thought the Prost was one of the longest F1 cars and I wondered whether there was quite enough space to fit it in the old smaller Minichamps box. Obviously it did, but Minichamps had to make longer boxes from 2010 onwards.

Minichamps 400990119

At the end of 1999, Jenson Button tested for McLaren and Prost before taking up a race seat at Williams for 2000. This car was updated for a 2017 release in a limited edition run of just 648. The updates are on the colour which is metallic blue now, and sharper sponsors, though there are no barcodes, but a blank space for you to apply your own tobacco decals.
Score: 7/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Sauber C15 Petronas

Background

Jean Alesi was joined by Pedro Diniz for the 1999 season, but the team suffered from poor gearbox reliability and meant that the car rarely finished even though it was fairly competitive. In the end the team scored 5 sixth placed finishes to finish the year in 8th place.

Diniz was lucky to walk away unharmed after being flipped at the European Grand Prix at the first corner, which saw the Sauber's rollover bar fail and leaving the Diniz's head exposed and the car came to a rest upside down, presumably resting on Diniz's helmet. For a moment, the world held their breath and feared the worst.  Thankfully he was OK and the marshalls were able to get him out the car quickly.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990011

The 1999 Sauber was quite a small but long car, certainly compared to its predecessor, and Minichamps have done a good job on this relatively simple shaped car. The Petronas logos on the top of the sidepod are nicely done, as is the chrome front wing supports. I miss the days when Sauber ran different headrest and mirror colours for their drivers as a way to tell them apart, with Alesi running red and Diniz running yellow.
Score: 7/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Arrows A20

Background

Arrows made their own engines, based on the Hart engines whom they had purchased, but the car was disappointing and unreliable. Only at the first race in Australia did it show any pace, with De La Rosa scoring a point in 6th place on his debut, with Takagi behind in 7th.

The team joined Minardi with a point to show for their efforts at the end of the year, with only the more competitive but unreliable debutante BAR team not scoring behind them.

At the beginning of the year, Nigerian prince Malik Ado Ibrahim bought a share in the team and t-minus logos appeared on the car for his global brand. But it turned out this venture did not take off and the team received no money at all. The prince had disappeared before the season was out and his payment on investing on the team did not materialise by the September deadline.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990085

This is the show car, the 1998 car with the launch livery. Personally I loved the shape of the Arrows A19, and in all black it was a pretty car, so forgive me for indulging in seeing it in this post. But I did like the t-minus mirrored logo on the sidepod, with the countdown to something that never happened.

Minichamps 430990015

The A20 looks very similar to the A19, with little money to develop it, and even Brian Hart left the team before the end of the year due to a lack of resources to develop the engine properly. Takagi didn't know English too well and he too left the team at the end of the year. The model itself is a reasonable representation of the car.
Score: 7/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 Minardi M01 Ford

Background

Minardi wanted to signify a new era for the team with the new chassis numbering, the M01. Luca Badoer returns to the team, having previously driven for them in 1995, and was joined by Ferrari test driver, Marc Gene in his rookie season.

The car remained near the rear of the grid, frequently battling with the Arrows team. Badoer damaged his wrist at a test session crash and was replaced for one race by Stephane Sarrazin but span out of the race.

At the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Badoer was running in fourth place in his Minardi when his gearbox failed with 13 laps to go and the Italian reduced to tears at the side of his car. But teammate Gene secured sixth place to secure Minardi's first point for four years.

The team equaled Arrows' points haul at the end of the year, but lost out on countback meaning they finished 10th in the Constructors' Championship, one place ahead of the more competitive and better funded debutantes, BAR. I still find it funny that BAR said they could win and didn't score a point when Minardi did!

This car was the first Formula 1 car that Fernando Alonso drove before joining the team in 2001.

Minichamps 

Minichamps 430990021

Minichamps 430990020

 For some reason, Minichamps didn't have the rights for Luca Badoer's name on the cardboard inlay, but they were able to reproduce his helmet with no issues. I wasn't particularly keen on the silver liveries that Minardi went for in 1998 and 1999, I much prefer the yellow black and white of the 1997 car or the yellow on their 2000 car. To the model itself and it's another pretty accurate model from Minichamps, I like how they have added the extra padding on the headrest behind the drivers helmet. Not much to complain about on this car.
Score: 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK283

This is based on Marc Gene's point scoring car at the European GP. I hadn't notice before that they changed the nose on this car mid-season, it was a lot shorter and had the front wing supports angle forwards as it drops to the front wing. Another stunning model from Tameo,
Score 9/10

1/43 Model Review: 1999 BAR 001 Supertec

Background

The team initially intended to field their cars in different liveries to promote their two brands. The FIA banned this concept, so they ended up with the famous zip design, with one car on one side and the other livery on the other side.

It was the debut year for the British American Racing Team where they arrogantly promised to win a Grand Prix during their first year (which of course they did not). They also benefited from a partnership with Reynard Motorsports who built their cars. But Jacques Villeneuve failed to get to the end of a Grand Prix until Belgium in August. They finished the season with no points, despite some good drives from Villeneuve in particular.

Zonta was in his first season in Formula 1 in the second seat, but an injury led to him being sidelined for three races. Mika Salo, who had impressed in previous years but failed to land a drive in 1999, deputised and duly gave the team their best result of the year, a 7th place just outside the points. This would not be the last time we see Mika Salo in 1999.

At that year's Belgian Grand Prix weekend, both Zonta and Villeneuve had massive accidents at Eau Rouge during qualifying but both drivers competed in the race.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430990120

The car ran with a testing livery before it launched its two car livery concept and I personally quite liked this livery. Again it was good of Minichamps to give us this edition.

Minichamps 430990022

The eventual livery that ran the season was a mess. Anyway, model itself is pretty reasonable, with the awful livery nicely reproduced and it even has the different colour rims on each side of the car. Another solid effort from Minichamps.
Score 7/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK284

This Tameo version is based on the Monaco GP. The car shape is better defined and has much more detail than the Minichamps car. I also think the decals are better than what you get on the Minichamps version too.
One thing I never noticed before was the diffuser sidewalls are painted in silver, so I had to look back at images and sure enough it was silver.
Score 9/10