1/43 Model Review: 1987 World Champion Nelson Piquet (Williams FW11B Honda)

Background

The Williams team had the best engine in the Honda, and two great drivers, double world-champion Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell. Both were in contention for the championship in 1986, but for tyre problems at the final race to cost both drivers the title. Although Mansell won 6 races to Piquet's 3 wins, Piquet would score points in 13 of the 15 races he started, 11 of them on the podium. This secured the Brazilian his third and final Drivers' World Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 400870006

This model was released as part of the Williams Collection, and is limited to 6,480 pieces. It wasn't easy to come by, but I remember stumbling across a seller on ebay selling his Williams collection at very low prices (£25) and I haven't seen this car at that low a price since. Even today, they are fetching over £50 usually. Anyway, this is a really nice model in my opinion. I'm not too keen on the helmet with the 'clear' visor, but the model does come with some nice details, inside the cockpit, suspension supports and at the rear of the car.

Minichamps 436870006

There is a World Champions Collection version too, which is the same as the Williams Collection but from a different race with small decal differences. I believe the two were released at the same time but I could be wrong.
Score: 8/10

Tameo

Tameo WCT087

This beautiful recreation by Tameo includes removable engine cover and sidepods which reveals a beautifully re-created internals. I love the detail on the internals, but also the detailing on the end plates is a really nice touch, as is the gurney flap on the rear wing. The detail on the suspension connection points and even the wheel nut is all incredibly well done. So this easily gets a perfect score from me.
Score: 10/10

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

This Ixo car is part of the Formula 1 Car Collection, but is available with a driver figure from Eaglemoss in Brazil and Altaya. It's quite a nice budget model but I think the car ought to be longer around the engine area.
Score: 6/10

Heller

I remember buying a pack of three plastic kits from the 1987 season, which included the McLaren, the Ferrari and this Williams FW11B (though it's Mansell's car). They were quite easy to make, and for me at the time, I thought they looked pretty reasonable. Sadly mine got lost a long time ago, but the kits are still available to get.

1/43 Model Review: 1983 World Champion Nelson Piquet (Brabham BT52 BMW)

Background

1982 was a development year for Brabham with new BMW turbo engines in the BT51, but with rule changes specifying a flat bottom for 1983, Gordan Murray developed the BT52 made specifically with mid-race refuelling which made for a smaller rear end resulting in the distinctive dart shaped car. Piquet started the season well, battling with Prost's Renault and Arnoux's Ferrari. But a bad run of luck and reliability mid-season put the Championship campaign in jeopardy, however a consistent end of the season saw Piquet 2 points behind Prost at the final race at Kyalami, with Arnoux also in contention. Piquet raced into the lead, but when Prost retired, Piquet coasted home in fourth to clinch his second Drivers' Championship - the first for a turbo charged engine.

This was the final Championship success for the Brabham team, as Ecclestone sold the failing team in 1987, and the name disappearing from the sport in less than 10 years.

Minichamps

Minichamps 430830005

The BT52 is one of the most distinctive looking cars in F1 history, with its arrow shaped chassis. Minichamps released a Brazilian GP version of the car. It's a very basic model from Minichamps, its got nice proportions but just lacks a bit of detail.

Minichamps 80429423036

I came across this BMW edition of the BT52 which has the late season colour scheme. It was nice to have both editions of this car, but the blue just makes it look a bit toy like to me.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 436830005

An updated version was released in the World Champion Collections set, and it comes with an updated driver figure and a new rear wing. I really like this update to the original model, so for me this has gone up a grade.
Score: 7/10

Formula 1 Car Collection/Ixo

Ixo have released the above car in the Formula 1 Car Collection magazine series. The Brazilian Eaglemoss version comes with a driver figure.

I've come across this early season version of the car too available from Altaya. Overall, the standard is fairly comparable to the early Minichamps version.
Score: 6/10

Quartzo

Quartzo's version is of a similar standard to Ixo's but the overall finish of the car is a bit of a let down for me.
Score: 5/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK006

Tameo TMK010

The late season version from the European GP was also released from Tameo.
Score: 8/10

Spark

Spark S7110

Spark S7104

Spark have shown some early but yet to be released photos of their version of this car, but I'm interested in seeing more. From this angle, it looks like a very promising model. I believe it will be released later this year.

For more World Champion Reviews, click on this link here https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/f1-world-champions.html

1/43 Model Review: 1981 World Champion Nelson Piquet (Brabham BT49C Ford Cosworth)

Background

After a battle with FISA and FOCA, skirts were banned and a minimum ride height was brought into place. The third variation of the Gordan Murray designed Brabham BT49, which featured innovations as hydropneumatic suspension, which was raised at scrutineering, but lowered during the racing,  and water cooled brakes. After Prost claimed his first pole position, Nelson Piquet claimed victory at the German GP at Hockenheim and, being 17 points behind in the Drivers title, launched his comeback in the battle for the top spot. Piquet went to the final race at Las Vegas and finished fifth to win the Drivers' Title, his first of three, despite having to be lifted out of the car with exhaustion, and the team finished second in the Constructors' battle.

Minichamps

Minichamps 400810005

I've only every owned this Minichamps car from the German GP. The real car itself is quite simply in contours and livery, so I suppose it's not too difficult a shape to model. The detail in the cockpit, behind the drivers head, and around the gearbox area is nicely done. I'm not a big fan of what they've done with the visor, I know what they're trying to aim for as it was a very clear transparent visor, but it's not pulled off particularly well. Personally, I think Minichamps have done a good job with this.

Score: 8/10

Spark

Spark S4347

This Spark model released fairly recently is from the Argentine GP. As expected, the details on this car are very nicely done, I particularly like seeing the top of the engine through the grill from a top view. Spark have their transparent visor, but for me it detracts from the shape of it a bit, and they could have painted Piquet's balaclava on. I prefer the overall shape of the Minichamps car, I think Spark's one is a bit lacking. However, I prefer the details on this car, which bumps the score back up again. 

Score: 8/10

Altaya/Ixo/Formula 1 Car Collection

This Model by Ixo is also from the German GP. The things that jump out at me is the oddly shaped rollover hoop and the rear wing endplates. There is some detail around the cockpit and the rear end, but they're pretty basic. The logos on the sidepod have been somewhat squished vertically.
Score: 6/10

Quartzo

Quartzo QFC99049

This Quartzo model is from the San Marino GP. Similar to the Spark model, it has the slightly larger rear wing endplates. I'm not quite sure what is going on with the tear drop shape on Piquet's helmet. It's budget end, as well as a slightly older model, so we're not expecting a huge amount of detail, but it's not bad. My only complaint about this car is the nose which is a little too rounded, and the rolloever hoop could be taller.

Score: 6/10

Tameo

Tameo TB019

This factory built Tameo car is another version of the German GP car. At over double the price of the Spark and Minichamps cars, you expect this to be the standard setting car, and you would be right. Good proportions, great level of detail, no quibbles over the helmet (because it doesn't have one), and there's no complaint about amateur build quality. The front tyre is a little bit too big, but that's not going to put me off giving this model top marks.

Score: 10/10


For more World Champion Reviews, click on this link here https://fongugp4.blogspot.com/p/f1-world-champions.html

1/43 Model Review: 2009 Renault R29

Background

With the new 2009 rules and very different looking cars to the rest of the decade, Renault produced one of the ugliest cars of this era. Alonso was once again joined by Nelson Piquet Jnr, with Alonso being the most competitive during the season, scoring all the teams' 26 points including a podium at Singapore. Piquet struggled with pace all year, and was eventually dropped by the team in favour of Romain Grosjean, who faired little better. Piquet, annoyed by the situation, revealed the story of crashgate at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, having been asked to bring out a safety car by deliberately crashing and helping team-mate Alonso to victory, on the proviso that he would retain his seat for 2009 - which he thought was the whole season. Various sponsors, including title sponsor ING, pulled their support and removed their logos immediately.

Minichamps

Minichamps 400090008

Neither Minichamps car had the drivers name on the cardboard overlay, but thankfully the driver helmets were present and correct. Correction, Romain Grosjean got a limited run of models and his name is presented. Minichamps have created a nice diecast car, the proportions are nicely done, and the lack of complexity on the real car makes for an easier model to create.
Score: 7/10

Norev

Norev 518952

I've seen that Norev have made a couple of Renault F1 cars, and here is their R29. The model is based on the launch car which didn't have the sidepod vanes and the rear of the sidepods the bulbous shape. It was used during pre-season testing, but I don't think it made it to a race, I could be wrong. The main shape is of similar quality and proportions to the Minichamps models, but where it gets to some of the detail, it's a little blocky and thick. The driver body is not too bad. It's not a bad alternative to the Minichamps, it's a little cheaper, so you don't get quite as good detail.

Score: 6/10

Provence Moulage

Provence Moulage PM0044

I'd never come across this brand before, but they make some F1 model kits. Again, this car is based on the launch car. I'd say it's lacking a bit of detail, but there were no real details to get excited about on the launch car, so it's pretty accurate then! Actually, this is a resin car, so the details on this are pretty nice, the aerial and pitot tube for example is the best one I've seen. The mirrors are nicely defined too. No driver figure for this car. It's just a shame they didn't base this on the race car.

Score: 8/10

Where are they now?

Renault and Romain Grosjean are about to enter the 2019, though Grosjean will be driving for Haas. Fernando Alonso has only just retired from F1, seeking to win the triple crown as well as other prestigious racing categories. 

Nelson Piquet Jnr has burned his bridges with F1, and has competed in a host of other series, including endurance, Brazilian stock car, NASCAR and rallycross, but perhaps most famously winning the first Formula E Championship, where he still competes.