GP4: 1994 Mod v4.2

It's now been 30 years since 1994. 

The dates 30th April and 1st May are the most poignant days of that year in Formula 1. 

We remember the two lives lost that black weekend, both born a few months apart, departed this earth at 33 years of age. Austrian rookie, who has completed just one race, Roland Ratzenberger, and three time Formula 1 World Champion, Ayrton Senna. 

Memories of Ratzenberger and Senna, Ocon's helmet and more...

Twenty nine years ago (plus a day), we lost two drivers at 1994 San Marino GP, Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. I've written about this before (like here), and it was the time I started following F1. It was a horrific weekend, with bad crashes for Lamy and Lehto, Barrichello and also involved pit-lane injuries when Alboreto's tyre bounced down the busy area. Thankfully many lessons were learned, but when Ocon comes into a pitlane filled with photographers at the 2023 Azerbaijan GP, it's a reminder that motorsport remains dangerous. 

Still we remember two drivers who loved the sport and dedicated themselves to it, and we can give thanks to the moments of joy they brought to many others. I read this weekend about the time in F3000 where Roland and Heinz-Harold Frentzen were friends. On a night out, they approached some ladies which irked some Japanese men upon which one of them pulled out a knife behind Heinz-Harold. Roland, realising what was going on, instantly wrestled the man to the ground, saving Frentzen from any bodily harm. 

I've not written much about physical models of late, purely because the second hand market isn't what it was, and prices have escalated. I have however, completed my first Tamiya 1/20 kit of Jim Clark's Lotus 25 Climax. Perhaps one day I'll get around to taking some photos and writing an article about it. Encouraged by the results from that build, this weekend I bought my next project, the 1994 Williams FW16 Renault by Fujimi. It appears I have purchased the Pacific GP version with the extra wings, which I still own a 1/43 model scale version of. I hope to be able to do the memory of Ayrton some justice through this build.

Back to Esteban Ocon, he was the only driver to race with a new helmet design this weekend. It's his 2023 helmet design, but in a fluorescent red, that evokes memories of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari lid. Ocon has made no secret that the German was his hero, and it remains to be seen if this lid if a one off or whether he will continue with this helmet. Either way, I like it and you can download my version of it in the link below. 

2023 Helmets by Fongu

Site admin time, and I've done some work on the GP4 Tracks list. Initially, I had stuck to track packs, but there's only been one track pack for over a decade available. So I've put together a list of individual tracks and where to find them, as well as adding some ovals and tracks used by Indycars over the years. You can find them here: GP4 Track Downloads

GP4: 2020 Pierre Gasly Emilia Romagna GP Helmet (Senna tribute)

Well being such a nerd for the 1994 season, it would have been wrong for me not to remake this helmet, worn at Imola at the so-called Emilia Romagna GP by Pierre Gasly in his Alpha Tauri.

The yellow is iconic, and the view from the front in unmistakably Senna's iconic helmet look, particularly with the Honda logo on the visor. The Alpha Tauri logos look nice, albeit a bit too intrusive on the main design, but it's nice to have matte blue against the rest of the helmet which is classically shiny. 

There's tributes on the back to lives lost, to Ayrton Senna, to Jules Bianchi and to Anthione Hubert (maybe Roland Ratzenberger was missed because he doesn't have a fancy logo). Anyway, a lovely tribute to drivers lost doing what they loved.

Download

1/43 Model Review: 1991 World Champion Ayrton Senna (McLaren MP4/6 Honda)

Background

The new McLaren MP4/6 now housed a V12 Honda engine but was no match to the Williams FW14's. The Williams suffered terribly with reliability problems, and Senna duly took victories at the first four Grand Prix, including an emotional Brazilian Grand Prix where he was stuck in 6th gear. As Williams began to dial their car in, Senna consistently scored podium finishes, ending the season with 7 wins and 5 other podium finishes, clinching his third, and final, Drivers' title and the team their fourth Constructors' Championship.

Minichamps

Minichamps 540914301

This is another early Senna Collection release with a nice but basic version of the McLaren MP4/6.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 540914391

A later addition to the original Senna Collection is this updated model from the 1991 German GP. This is a nice update, although I found these helmets a little small.

Minichamps 540914301

The updated car featured in the new Senna Collection, though it is back to the generic non-tobacco version, presumably from the British or French GP. Other than the decal changes, I can't see any new updates to the shape. There have been a fair few version of this updated model released over the years:

I don't know too much about this version at all, but it is unique in that it comes with wet tyres and also with blank spaces for the tobacco advertising. 

This fantastic tall box edition with a standing figure is a very nice update from the Brazilian GP mentioned earlier.

There was a very small limited run of 300 for the 50 years of McLaren series recently for the Japanese Euro Sports magazine.
Score: 7/10

Onyx

Here is Onyx's version produced back in 1991. It's a shame that the rear wing decals aren't quite right, but it's hard to complain for the price.
Score: 4/10

Ixo

Ixo have done a nice job in making this budget car, this particular version made for the Brazilian market initially which comes with a driver figure. I think I'd still prefer even the original Minichamps car, but this is not far off in quality.
Score: 6/10

TSM

TSM124333 - Brazilian GP

TSM134324 - Monaco GP

TSM144334 - Japanese GP

True Scale Models have produced a couple of race specific cars, and I do love it when modellers put some effort into some of the differences between races, especially on the shape with the most obvious change being the rear wings. These models are fantastic, you get a great shape, nice decals and good detailing.

Score 9/10

MakeUp Eidolon

FE017A - Monaco GP

FE018A - German GP

FE016A - Japanese GP

This Japanese kit maker have produced some excellent, top quality models and these cars are no different. The level of detail is exquisite, I can't find any faults. I love how they do the gurney flaps, the radiator, the suspension pickup points, the cockpit and the rear end.

I can't find any particularly high resolution of this car, but I've found some detailed shots here:

Score: 10/10

1/43 Model Review: 1990 World Champion Ayrton Senna (McLaren MP4/5B Honda)

Background

The 1989 MP4/5 was updated for the 1990 season, but Prost left McLaren for Ferrari. McLaren had the qualifying pace, but on full tanks the Ferrari was superior. Senna took 6 wins, and the team took the Constructors' Championship.

Senna went to the Japanese Grand Prix with the advantage over Prost. Senna qualified on pole, but despite his protests, started on the wrong side of the grid. Prost took full advantage by leading into the first corner, but Senna, unwilling to give up the corner, drove into Prost and took both of them into the gravel trap and into retirement. Senna took his second Drivers' World Championship.

This would be Gordon Murray's final F1 designed car, after a successful career with Brabham and McLaren.

Minichamps

Minichamps 540904327

Once again, this early Minichamps model was created for the original Senna Collection. The shape is pretty basic, but reasonable enough.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 540904327

The new Senna Collection features the same diecast car, but with several updates including its decals, driver figure and helmet and rear wing. This is a much better model overall, but I would still like a proper update from Minichamps on this car.
Score: 7/10

Ixo

F1BRACOL012

Ixo have created a nice car which was initially released in Brazil with a nice driver figure. It's comparable to the Minichamps cars, better than the original, not quite as good as the updated version.
Score: 6/10

RBA

RBA released a number of budget models that featured various world champions. This is their MP4/5B, which shares the same chassis as the Ixo car, but the wings and suspension are much less detailed.
Score: 5/10

Onyx

Onyx 077

Another budget version of this car is by Onyx who have created a reasonable enough toy car, however it's the least accurate of them all. They had generic wheels and tyres, a single axle with very generic suspension, there are no little appendages like mirrors. 

Score: 4/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK117

This Tameo kit features the car from the USA Grand Prix. Though there are lovely details on the car, it doesn't quite have the finesse finish as the car below...

Score: 9/10

Makeup Eidolon

FE020A

FE019A

This kit comes from a brand I'm not aware of and it comes in either USA configuration (top picture) or Japanese GP (lower picture). These models are exquisite, though you do have to mortgage your house to pay for them. Some of the details, particularly on the US version, are so small and fine that I wouldn't even want to breathe on it lest it get damaged.
Score: 10/10

1/43 Model Review: 1989 World Champion Alain Prost (McLaren MP4/5 Honda)

Background

Following on the dominant 1988 season, Neil Oatley designed the 1989 McLaren challenger (and the B spec used in 1990 as well) winning both of the championships. The MP4/5 was quick and reliable, and Senna took 6 wins and Prost took 4 wins in 1989. At the height of the inter-team rivalry, Prost quickly announced that he would quit the team at the end of the year. Senna was out-performing his team-mate, but reliablity issues and accidents meant that Senna was behind on points.

Coming to the Japanese GP in Suzuka, Senna needed to finish ahead of Prost to keep the championship alive. Senna followed Prost, and attempted an overtake into the tight chicane near the end of the lap when Prost appeared to shut the door on Senna, causing both cars to be interlocked and sliding off track. Prost retired, but Senna had kept his engine running, rejoined the track and went on to win the race. Later on he would be disqualified for not attempting to take the chicane, gifting the championship to Prost.

Minichamps

Minichamps 530894302

The first release from Minichamps, much in the same way as the 1988 McLaren MP4/4, was one of the first made by Minichamps. So it's a basic diecast shape and was perfectly acceptable at the time.
Score: 6/10

Minichamps 436890002

Just as with the 1988 car, the model was revamped and released in various collections, the main one being the World Champions Collection. This is a nice update, new decals, new driver figures, better mirrors and rear wing. Again it's a nice update to an older model, but I'd rather a completely new model. 

Minichamps 539894302

I found it difficult to get a hold of the World Champions edition, but I did manage to pick up a Suzuka Legends edition, with the barcode instead of the blank space vacated by tobacco sponsorship.

Minichamps 08MDC-HER-APWC

In my research, I stumbled across this version which comes in a Honda box, but with the details you'd find from the World Champions Collection edition.
Score: 7/10

Onyx

Onyx 022

Onyx produced a model of the MP4/5 around the time, and was perhaps more toy than model at that time. There's no mistaking what the car is, but obviously lacks the refinement of modern day editions.
Score:4/10

True Scale Models

TrueScale Models TSM154337

TSM produced a number of versions of this car from the middle of the season, this one from the British Grand Prix. Again, another lovely model with good proportions and fine detail from TSM, but it is expensive.
Score:9/10

Spark

Spark MS-ES-1622-08

Spark produced this rare small run of the MP4/5 as part of the 50 years of McLaren collection. Though perhaps not as nice as the TSM offering, this is an excellent car at more affordable prices and a driver figure and Spark's signature helmet and visor combination. My other issue is that the tyres are a little too big. I've not seen too many photos of this car, so it's hard to give it a higher score without a proper look.
Score:8/10

Tameo

Tameo TMK112

This is another gorgeous model from Tameo from the British Grand Prix (although this modeller has applied tobacco sponsorship). Similiar to the TSM model, this has good proportions and good details too.
Score:9/10

1/43 Model Review: 1988 World Champion Ayrton Senna (McLaren MP4/4 Honda)

Background

This is the first McLaren designed by Gordon Murray, who had been designing championship wining Brabhams in the early to mid 80s. Though there are traits of the Brabhams evident in the design of the MP4/4, there is still some debate as to whether Murray was the pioneer of this successful chassis, with some in the team saying it was a natural development from their 87 car.

The team also hired highly rated Ayrton Senna, who helped secure the team the excellent Honda engines. The Honda engines were in a league of their own. So with the potent combination of a great chassis, a top class engine, and two of the best drivers to grace F1, it is unsurprising that the pair of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost won all but one Grand Prix that year.

Senna and Prost developed, the now, legendary rivalry, and the title only went to Ayrton Senna at the last race in Suzuka. At that race, Senna bogged down at the start and dropped down the field. But a spirited fight-back saw him regain 2nd place, which perhaps wasn't too unpredictable, but the incredible thing was that Senna caught and passed Prost, who was driving the same car, to take victory and his first World Championship - remarkable!

Minichamps

Minichamps 540884312

This is the original release of the model as part of the original Ayrton Senna Collection and is Edition No.1. This model also features in the double World Champion set along with the 1989 World Champion, Prost's MP4/5, which is part of the McLaren Collection. It's quite an early Minichamps model, with the original driver figure and basic helmet shape. The diecast car was good for its time when models were much more affordable.

Score: 6/10

Minichamps 540884392

A later additional to the original Senna Collection is number 24 based on the Japanese GP version of Senna's McLaren MP4/4. This model receives a new driver figure, new improved decals and does not have the sidepod cooling chimney. This is a nice update to the original model, and this model, as far as I am aware, features in other collectible boxes...

Minichamps 436880012

Here is the car in the World Champions Collection, which traditionally features the car in the final race spec, which was the Japanese GP.

Minichamps 403884312

I personally opted for the Suzuka Legend model.
There may be more versions, but these are the ones I am aware of.
Score: 7/10

Minichamps 540884312

The car was re-released in the latest Senna collection. I may be wrong, but I don't see any discernable difference of this car from the previous batch of cars.

Minichamps 543884392

The car was re-released again, this time in a large box edition, which is also from the Japanese GP, though this time, Senna has both fists raised. The car comes with decals for tobacco sponsorship which is a nice touch.
Score: 7/10

I completely understand that this is one of the iconic and legendary cars in Formula 1, a fascinating era of the sport. I get why they keep on bringing out more versions, but as a collector, there isn't too much point collecting the same car in a different box over and over again, especially when they are all from the Japanese GP. It devalues the other versions, not just in terms of resale value, but in terms of how special it makes the models feel to the collector. If they remade it in resin, or put more detail into the cockpit and diffuser area, then that would be great, but I don't need another overpriced remake of the same car.

Formula 1 Car Collection / IXO

I managed to get a copy of the Formula 1 Car Collection edition with tobacco decals applied, though the aerials fell off my version. A Brazilian edition exists that comes with a nice driver figure which you can see below. This is a fairly good model from IXO, owing to the relatively simplistic shapes from the 80s, and is comparable to Minichamps original attempt at the car.

Score: 6/10

Onyx

Back in the day, there was the Onyx version of the car and it's not really fair to compare this model to modern day equivalents. These were cheap and cheerful recreations, not necessarily there for accuracy, but good enough to get the essence of the shape and the colour scheme.
Score: 4/10

True Scale Models

TrueScale Models TSM134323

The TSM car is a very nicely done car indeed, but it is a costly model. This model excels in its details, though there aren't many areas where the detail is needed, but the cockpit and diffuser area (as mentioned earlier) are nicely recreated in this model.
Score: 9/10

Tameo

Tameo TMB005

Tameo, like TSM, have produced another beauty. I think I slightly prefer Tameo's offering to TSM's, but the reality is that I'd be very pleased with either.
Score: 10/10

Make-Up Eidolon

FE013A

This is a later addition, the Make-Up Eidolon models are just brilliant, it's hard to see how you could get any better than the models they produce. They are rare and super expensive, but they are some of the best F1 models around.

Score: 10/10

I've covered a fair few models of this iconic car, these are the ones that I'm aware of, thought I wouldn't be surprised if there are more.