1/43 2019 Bburago Models

Bburago continue to produce their low-budget models/toys, a strange blend of detail and the ability to play with it without hurting yourself or your child eating any bits off it. Adding to the Ferrari cars, comes the Mercedes and the Red Bull versions. As much as I critique models on this blog, I'm glad there's a variety of detail, and more importantly budget. It's not like Bburago have the monopoly to make models of these cars, so I'm all for that. 

2019 Mercedes W11

Bburago BU38036-BOT

First up, we have the Mercedes. Ignoring that the front wing is drooping down at the front edge, they've done a great job in capturing the essence of the W11 shape, from the rounded nose tip, the cape, the high front suspension, the bargeboards and sidepod opening, a great halo and rear wing. There are dimples all over it, on the rear wing endplates, bargeboards, and floor owing to some of the detail on the real cars.

The nose horns have been trimmed and the mirrors point in a slightly random upward position. On this particular model, the engine cover doesn't seem to be on properly, but that's just this particular Bottas model rather than a common issue, as you can see on the Hamilton version below, it fits much better.

I like what they've done with the rear end. They play to their strengths, in that the detailed areas are in dark carbon, so you can't really see the detail on the real car as it's zooming by on your screens, but the general shape is excellently done on the bargeboards and the floor. 

Bburago BU38036-HAM

What impresses me most is the livery, I really like it and it elevates the whole model for me. Thinking back to the mid-90s when I was buying budget Onyx models, with their decals peeling off, the comparatively simple liveries applied wonkily, these liveries have a precision about them that impresses me. My slight nit-pick is that they could have painted the inside of the airbox black. 

Score: 6/10 

2019 Red Bull RB15

Bburago BU38139-VERS

The Red Bulls have tended to start the year with relatively simple and uncomplicated aerodynamics, but compare that to the end of the season, it's usually very highly developed. And that trend is true in its performance, in general, they are more competitive at the end of the year, sneaking a few victories along the way, and 2019 was no exception. And so this model looks a lot more basic than the Ferrari and Mercedes models. Couple that with the dark matte finish, this looks the most toy-like of the three.  

Bburago BU38050

That's not to say that the car doesn't share some of the things I like about the Ferrari and Mercedes. The car has a good front wing, its unique nose, the little S duct outlet at the top of the monocoque, the boomerang on the bargeboards, and a nice rear end. Again the decals look great, nicely detailed, accurate, well applied. 

Score: 6/10 

1/43 Model Review: 2019 Red Bull Racing RB15 Minichamps

Dr. Helmut Marko predicted that Red Bull would win 3 races in 2019 in their first year partnership with Honda, and that is exactly what they achieved, though he would argue they could have won more. Max won brilliantly in Austria, and then in a rain soaked chaotic race in Germany, and a brilliant head-to-head victory against Hamilton in Brazil, somewhat payback for losing out on victory in Hungary where Hamilton passed him on fresher tyres near the end of the race. Verstappen had a few off races, colliding with Raikkonen twice in Belgium. In Italy he started from the back and knocked his front wing, and eventually finished 8th, and he was punted off in Japan by Leclerc. Verstappen truly established himself as a credible title challenger if his car was competitive throughout the year, something they hope will be the case in 2020.

New team-mate Albon drove the second half of the year, and had a slightly easier task of a more developed RB15 than Gasly had. He seemed to do a lot of come-back drives, showing potential and good overtaking. It remains to be seen if he can get closer to Max in 2020, but he was unlucky to be punted off a podium finish in Brazil by a rare mistake from Hamilton.

Minichamps released their version of the early season car with Max and Pierre in respectively.

Minichamps 410190033

Personally, I think the matte paintwork on the Minichamps model is spot on, I don't think the Spark model is quite as good. The only other bigger difference between this and the Spark model is the size of the airbox above the driver's head, the Minichamps one being much larger and for me more accurate.

Minichamps 410190010

A great effort from Minichamps in my opinion, these newer models are fantastic.
Score: 8/10

Verstappen Collection Models

Whilst Spark have been releasing a number of special versions, the Max Verstappen shop have released two versions already, one based on the Australian GP, which is the same as the standard model, albeit with different tyres, and they have done a pre-season shakedown livery which sold out almost instantly.

Minichamps 4131999333 Max Verstappen Collection No. 40

Minichamps 413190133 Max Verstappen Collection No. 42

Minichamps 413190933 Max Verstappen Collection No. 44

Minichamps 413191133 Max Verstappen Collection No.45

1/43 Model Review: 2019 Red Bull RB15 Honda (Spark)

2019 has been a tale of two cars for the Red Bull team. Expectations were that Honda could finally compete with the other power units on the grid, allied with the strong Red Bull chassis. However the amended rules for 2019 meant that a lot of the strengths that Red Bull excelled at have been taken away and their advantage over Mercedes and Ferrari on the chassis department have been reduced. In fact Mercedes probably have a stronger chassis than Red Bull in 2019, and with Renault engines making great strides in 2019, the Honda power unit is still playing catch up.

Verstappen has been a consistent force in the leading Red Bull, eeking out every last ounce of pace from this car, usually running behind the front two teams. However a strong weekend in Austria gave the team their first victory of the season at their home race.

Gasly however has struggled to match the pace of his teammate, often pitting late to attempt the fastest lap and finishing 6th. However in the last few races, Gasly has struggled to stay ahead of the midfield pack.

Spark S6077

Spark S6078

Along with the McLaren, Spark have released their version of the Red Bull RB15. The car looks fantastic, though I think Minichamps have done a better matte dark blue in the past. Proportions look good, though the model doesn't seem to be running much rake, something the Red Bulls have been known for over recent years. The definition on the halo is very good, as are the details on the rims.

As noted in my McLaren review, the simplified front wing has been created very well compared to the more complicated versions of recent years. It's hard to see the barge board area as it is all in black, but again Spark have done a nice job in squeezing all the elements in and getting a good amount of detail.

There is some nice detail on the diffuser and also along the floor. You can see more of the barge board area and behind the front wheel from this angle and it's all very nicely done.

Both cars are based on the Chinese Grand Prix, with Max's car coming with a pitboard.

Another strong model from the Spark team.
Score: 7/10

Race Specific Models

Spark S6084

Spark have also provided us with the shakedown livery. It was with some disappointment that this was not the race livery as it looked fantastic, but it's nice that we have a model of it.

Spark S6088

Spark have produced an Austrian GP version where Max took an impressive victory, battling back through the field and overtaking Leclerc's Ferrari at the end.

Spark S6093

Max Verstappen was really on top form in the middle of the season, taking victory at a chaotic German GP. Spark have released their version of the German GP car, with rain tyres.

Spark S6095

Alex Albon's debut at the Belgian GP with the senior Red Bull team is commemorated by the model which includes a tribute to Anthoine Hubert who lost his life the previous day.

Spark S6049

Max's 100th GP is commemorated with this podium finish at the US GP, the model coming with a pitboard.

Spark S6046

Verstappen took an excellent victory at the chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix which this model commemorates with a lovely winners trophy along with the replica race winning car.

Japanese Limited Editions

As with the Honda powered Toro Rosso, I believe this Australian GP version was sold at the Japanese GP which I came across on ebay.

Again, there is a Japan Limited version from the Spanish GP, with only 200 of these made.