GP4: 2023 Ferrari SF-23 Las Vegas livery, F2 helmets and more...

2023 Ferrari SF-23 Las Vegas livery

First up, I'm please to share with you this updated livery used by the Ferrari team at the Las Vegas GP. This livery is inspired by the simple red and white liveries from the 1970s, and it apparently took some agreement from their sponsors and partners to display monotone white versions of their logos. The team enjoyed one of their most competitive weekends of the season at the inaugural event on the Las Vegas strip.

This GP4 version comes with a textures for both Leclerc and Sainz, and includes their new driver suits. I hope you like it, here's some more screenshots (apologies that I've not updated their helmets yet).

GP4: 2020 Haas Updated Liveries by Fongu & Excalibur

I wanted to update the liveries for the 2020 Haas painted by Excalibur as they were painted just before the start of the season, so this is just a small update to bring it up to date really. 

The changes are mostly very subtle. 

1. I've darkened the white a little, the reason being that I've added the white border on the nose. 
2. I've combined the front wing liveries from the launch and Barcelona test liveries. 
3. I've lightened the black stripes on the alpha channels, just to make them stand out a bit more. 
4. I've added the #WeRaceAsOne logo on the rear wing endplates. 

New default livery (Grosjean & Magnussen):

I've also added updated the livery for the final two GPs, with Pietro Fittipaldi jumping in the car for the Sakhir GP after Romain's horrific crash the previous week. 

And for the final round at Abu Dhabi, it was the Haas 100th GP, so I've added the 100GPs logo onto the nose and the airbox. 

A big thank you to Arnaud for his part in this project. 

Here's the link: 

Pre-season:

2020 season package:

GP4: 2020 Pietro Fittipaldi Helmet download

I'm flitting between a couple of different projects at the moment, I'll have some things to show soon. But it's 2021 launch season, and it means I'm gearing up to create a 2021 car. Not entire sure what yet. I'm still pretty new to Photoshop, and I'm gradually getting used to painting again. So here's something a bit different from me, Pietro Fittipaldi's 2020 Haas helmet.

I haven't painted a helmet since what feels like forever. It's probably because I'm not particularly good at it, and I'm not claiming this to be anywhere near a masterpiece. When I was painting helmets for mid-90's cars they were a lot more exposed. Now much of the helmet is hidden behind a Hans device, high cockpit sides and a halo. Essentially, my poor attempt can be hidden away. 

A nice helmet design, clearly inspired by Emerson Fittipaldi's helmet design from of old, with the circles reminding me of the top of Barrichello's helmet. I like the hints of chrome, GP4 allows me to use a dark grey on the helmet texture, with a white alpha channel giving a nice chrome like effect. 

This is designed specifically for the GP4 2020 mod and here's the download link: 

1/43 Model Review: 1974 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi (McLaren M23 Ford Cosworth)

Background

1972 Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, then at Lotus, was following the M23 when it was introduced in 1973 and knew that was the car to be in. So in 1974, he made the switch to McLaren, who had won three races in 1973. His knowledge of the excellent Lotus 72 helped develop the McLaren even further and he duly won the Drivers' Championship along with the Constructors' Championship that year; taking 3 victories along the way.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530744305

Minichamps released their version of the M23 as part of their McLaren Collection. As you can see, my version had tobacco decals applied. I think this is a great Minichamps model, and it comes with removable engine cover and cockpit cowl. So there's lots of detail underneath the model. The only let down for me are the definition of the cylinders, but the detail on the top of the engine makes up for that to me. I like the helmet with the additional fireproof sticking out, nice detail.
I've owned three of these, and each of them have sold for over £100, but as the market has become less popular over recent years, you can get this between £50-£100, perhaps less if you get a good deal.
Score: 9/10

Minichamps are due to release their World Champions Collection version in May 2019, so I can't wait to see how they will update this already fantastic model.

Spark

Spark S4359

This is Spark's offering from the Brazilian GP. Whilst I've been favouring Spark versions of the 1970s cars so far, I actually prefer Minichamps version on this occasion. I still love the driver body, the detail on the engine, and as with all Spark cars you get the additional tobacco decals to apply yourself (not that I've ever trusted myself to update one yet).

Score: 7/10

Ixo (Formula 1 Car Collection/Eaglemoss)

Ixo's version is quite a nice one in terms of proportions and livery. The Eaglemoss edition also features a driver figure. But you get what you pay for I suppose, and although it's nice, it's no match to the quality of the Minichamps/Spark versions above, but it's one of the better ones from Ixo's recent batch of cars.
Score: 7/10

For more from this series of World Champions, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/search/label/World Champions

1/43 Model Review: 1972 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi (Lotus 72 Ford Cosworth)

Background

The Lotus 72 was first raced in 1970 and led Jochen Rindt to four straight victories before his death at Monza. It was enough for him to still became World Champion, whilst Emerson Fittipaldi took his place in the team, immediately winning in the USA. 1971 was a development year and in 1972, Fittipaldi became the youngest driver at the time to claim the Drivers' Championship and the car its second Constructors' Championship. Fittipaldi and new team-mate Peterson were competitive in the 72 during the 1973 season but for some failures to finish let Stewart to clinch the title. Fittipaldi would leave to be with McLaren for 1974 where he became World Champion, whilst Lotus scrapped the Lotus 76 and again ran the 72. Again in 1975 the team ran the Lotus 72 but the car was finally beginning to show its age. However it was remarkable that the car ran for so long and was so successful for the most part.

1972 was the first year that we saw the iconic JPS livery that the team would run these colours for over a decade (except in 1979 when the ran a Martini livery).

Minichamps 

Minichamps 430720008

I got the original release from Minichamps of the 72D from the British Grand Prix (if I'm not mistaken) and someone had added JPS decals to the livery. It was one of those cars that were getting a bit long for the old Minichamps shorter cases. It's a fairly basic but well proportioned car. It would have been nice for the driver to sit higher in the car, but at least he could see out the visor.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 436720006

I also got myself the updated version from the World Champions Collection, this version from the Italian Grand Prix. It comes with an updated driver figure and also a new airbox. They made the cylinders on the engine silver, but it shows up how plastic and low detailed they actually are. They've changed the gold slightly to a lighter version on this model as well, and personally I prefer the original.
Score: 7/10

Other Versions

Spark

Spark S2149

Spark have recently released their version of the 72D this particular one from the Argentine GP, and it is a nice model. Although I prefer Minichamps helmet and tyres, Spark do a better job at the driver figure itself. The attention to detail on the engine is what wins me over on their version. I feel their rear wing and airbox is just a bit better defined.
Score: 8/10

Spark S4282

Spark have also done this Spanish Grand Prix version, with a yellow visor, different rear wing and different airbox. I love the 70s for such big changes from race to race. Similar to the Argentine GP version, this is a great effort from Spark again.
Score: 8/10

Quartzo

Quartzo 4022

Quartzo have done their version, and whilst it's a cheaper option, their work on the engine surpasses the detail on the Minichamps version for me. It does feel a bit plastic (that's because it is) and it just takes away a bit from the reality of the model for me.
Score: 6/10

Ixo/Altaya/Formula 1 Car Collection

Ixo's car comes in various guises and thus varying qualities of finish, some with and others without a drive figure. The quality is similar to Quartzo's, but the car looks a little short to me. 
Score: 6/10

RBA

There is an RBA version, which somewhat bears a resemblance to the 72, but there are much better budget options around. This is one to avoid.
Score: 4/10


For more from this series of World Champions, click here: https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/search/label/World Champions